Photos by Ray Hamill/Humboldtsports.com – Arcata’s Makayla Bernald delivers a pitch during Saturday’s doubleheader against Fortuna.

Makayla Bernald led another spirited performance by the Arcata Tigers on Saturday, as they continued their remarkable turnaround this season.

The Tigers have been without doubt the story of the season so far, putting a program that has struggled for much of the past decade back on the map.

They continued to roll on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader from the visiting Fortuna Huskies, 9-1 and 7-3, and stretching their winning streak to eight straight.

“Today our team executed,” said first-year head coach Teresa Stavert, who along with her staff have done a remarkable job quickly. “We hit awesome, our outfield was awesome, and Makayla was amazing.”

The junior pitcher was indeed awesome, pitching both wins and striking out 28 batters, while giving up just one earned run in each game.

She also had an impact at the plate, going 2-for-3 in the opener with two doubles.

Bernald got plenty of help from her offense, with the Tigers striking quickly in both games.

In the opener, they scored three times in the bottom of the first and led by six after three.

Claire Monge had a triple and Claire Broadman a double for the home team.

In the second game, after getting out of a bases-loaded situation in the top of the first, the Arcata girls took the lead in the bottom half of the inning and added four more runs in the second to lead by five after two.

Sophomore Carmen Midtun provided the big hit in the second game with a two-RBI pinch hit single in the second as the Tigers started to exert control.

“The team is very close and their support of each other shows on the field,” the head coach added.

The Huskies rallied with three runs in the fifth to pull within three, but it was as close as they would get.

With the win, the Tigers improved to 3-0 in the Big 5 and 9-1 overall, while Fortuna is now 0-3 in league and 3-7 overall.

The Arcata girls will host McKinleyville in a huge showdown on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

The Huskies host McKinleyville on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

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