The Arcata Tigers made an opening day statement with a 13-3 win at Fortuna in both teams’ first conference game on Tuesday afternoon.

The same team that has struggled in the Big 5 for much of the past decade came out swinging the bats and showed exactly why they expect to contend for the league crown this spring.

The visitors took control of the game early, scoring five runs in the top of the first, and led 7-0 before the Huskies managed to score.

“Today we started the game with our bats,” head coach Teresa Stavert said. “Strong solid base hits, combined with heads-up base running, allowed us to go up 5-0 in the first inning.”

Bella Volz-Broughton led the way at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 with a triple, a pair of doubles, and three RBIs.

Kori McCracken had a big day on both sides of the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a double on offense, and turning in a solid performance at catcher.

Makayla Bernald got the win in the circle, striking out seven and walking one, while forcing most of her outs on pop-ups or fly balls.

The Huskies scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the third.

Lexi Roby had a good game for Fortuna, finishing with a pair of hits, including a double, and two RBIs.

With the win, their sixth straight, the Tigers improved to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big 5.

“To me, it is a very big milestone,” Stavert said. “This team has been in the HDN cellar for too many years. I am so proud of their camaraderie and support for each other.”

Fortuna dropped to 3-5 and 0-1.

The two teams are scheduled to play a Big 5 doubleheader at Arcata on Saturday.

Eureka 10, Hoopa Valley 2

Alexa Morehouse pitched seven strong innings and the Loggers’ offense continued to pile up the hits, as the Eureka girls ran out to a non-conference win at Hoopa Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

Morehose struck out seven in seven innings work, while giving up just two earned runs.

At the plate, four different Eureka players managed two hits, with home runs from both Karyn Jensen and Sadie Wilkinson.

Jensen, who also had a double, was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Wilkinson finished 2-for-4.

Sadie Hampton and Raime Young each also had a pair of hits in the win, with both doubling and driving home a run.

Briana Graham was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

With the win, the Loggers improved to 4-2.

The Eureka girls are scheduled to play Ukiah and Maria Carrillo at Ukiah on Saturday.

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