Photos by Mark Gorge – Eagles head coach Matt Tomlin talks to his players in Woodland.

The Humboldt Eagles will have to battle back through the losers’ bracket after a day-two loss at the American Legion Area One Tournament in Woodland on Friday.

The Eagles gave up three runs in the top of the first inning and never really recovered, falling 4-2 to Petaluma despite a late rally that saw them load the bases in the final inning before hitting into a double play.

With the loss, the Eagles are now 1-1 at the eight-team, double-elimination tournament, with the top two teams advancing to next week’s state tournament.

Photos by Mark Gorge

C.J. Van Meter pitched two and two-third scoreless innings in relief in Friday’s loss, while Scott Coffelt and Hunter Davis each led the offense with a double.

Arcata’s Merek Sears will get the start on the mound for Saturday’s must-win game against Yuba, which gets under way at noon.

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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.