File photo – Former Logger Ethan Fischel, pictured celebrating with his teammates after winning the Big 5 title a year ago, is now playing baseball at Willamette University.

A pair of recently graduated Eureka High student athletes are making their mark at the collegiate level early in the season.

At Santa Rosa JC, sophomore Sydney Arnold has had a big impact at the plate early in the softball season, while at Willamette University, freshman Ethan Fischel has adapted quickly to the college baseball game.

Fischel, who graduated Eureka last year, has played in all 11 games so far for the 8-3 Bearcats, averaging .286 at the plate.

The infielder also has three doubles and seven RBIs.

Fischel, who played a pivotal role in the Loggers’ league championship last season and was a Big 5 MVP as a junior, also plays summer baseball with the Humboldt B52s.

The Bearcats have won four straight games.

Willamette is an NCAA Division-III school.

Arnold, meanwhile, graduated Eureka in 2017, and began this season with a bang, hitting four home runs in a single game against Mendocino on Feb. 19.

She finished the game 4-for-5 with five runs, seven RBIs, and a walk for good measure.

Through 14 games, the sophomore outfielder is hitting .278 with the four home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs.

The Bear Cubs are 4-9.

Last season, Arnold batted .301, with team-highs in RBIs (31) and home runs (seven), as well as hitting eight doubles.

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