The Humboldt Eagles 19U took some time to get going at the Arcata Ball Park on Thursday afternoon, but once they did they quickly put plenty of distance between themselves and the visiting Team Australia Colts.

The local American legion squad scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning to overcome an early three-run deficit and ran out to a 12-4 win in game one of a doubleheader.

Earlier in the day, the Humboldt Eagles 17U beat Australia Grey, one of three teams the touring club has in the area this week. 

Gannon Cyphers had a big game for the Eagles 19U in their opener, hitting a double and a triple in back-to-back innings to help ignite a sluggish Eagles offense.

Cody Emmons slides into third.

With his team trailing 4-1, Cody Emmons was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the third inning, before Dustin Ireland reached base on an error.

Cyphers then doubled to score one of the runners, before Scott Coffelt stepped up to the plate and tied the game on a two-RBI double to left field.

Jaden Gorge and Landon Gomes each also singled in a run in the third, before Emmons made it 7-4 on a sacrifice fly on his second at-bat of the inning.

Pitcher Scott Coffelt is congratulated by teammates after the game.

Cypher’s triple to lead off the fourth led to another run when Caleb Ruiz singled him home, as the Eagles began to take control of the game.

They scored again in the fifth when Garrison Finck reached home on a passed ball, and added three more runs in the sixth, one on a Ruiz double and another on a Gomes sacrifice.

C.J. Van Meter got the win on the mound, pitching six innings and holding the visiting bats in check after a fast start that saw them score four runs in the opening two innings.

Coffelt pitched the seventh.

C.J. Van Meter delivers a pitch.

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