The Humboldt Eagles 19U American Legion squad continued to impress over the weekend, sweeping the first four games of a tough road trip, including taking their two league openers.
The Eagles, who improved to 10-2, took two games at Red Bluff on Saturday, 9-0 and 9-2, and two more at Galena in Reno on Sunday, 2-1 and 14-1.
And the common thread for the Humboldt all-star team in all four wins was outstanding pitching.
Cameron Saso was, according to head coach Matt Tomlin, “brilliant” in Saturday’s opener, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with eight strikeouts.
Saso also finished with a pair of hits and two RBIs in the win, while teammate JB lewis had a three-run home run and Cody Emmons and Dustin Ireland three hits each.
Incoming College of the Redwoods freshman Caleb Ruiz matched Saso’s effort on the hill in game two on Saturday, striking out 11 in a one-hit complete game.
Saso capped a big all-around day with two more hits, both doubles, and two more RBIs, while Ireland continued to have his say at the plate, with two more hits and a pair of RBIs.
Kalebh Hill also finished with two hits and three RBIs, as the Eagles opened league play with back-to-back wins, while Brady Munson had a double and two RBIs.
On Sunday, the Eagles traveled to Reno, and their pitching continued to set the tone, with six players contributing as Tomlin went deep to his bullpen.
Hill got the win in a tight opener, striking out four in five innings, with Landon Gomes and Garrison Finck both impressing in relief, the latter getting the save.
Finck and Jaden Gorge each had a hit in the win, the Eagles’ only two of the game, with Gorge scoring both of his team’s runs.
Finck had two stolen bases to cap a big all-around game.
In the second game, Munson pitched five strong innings for the win, with Scott Coffelt and Gorge each also impressing in relief.
At the plate, Gomes led the way, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs, while Lewis and Hunter Davis each also had a pair of hits and multiple RBIs.
Gorge and Saso had a triple each to cap a big game offensively for the visitors.
The Eagles continue their big three-state road trip against the Reno Muckdogs on Monday afternoon.
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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.