File photo – C.J. Van Meter and the South Fork Cubs will play for a second straight NCS championship on Saturday.

South Fork senior C.J. Van Meter is closing out his high school playing career in determined fashion.

On Wednesday, Van Meter was instrumental in the Cubs’ 7-1 win over San Francisco Waldorf in the North Coast Section Division-VI semifinals, leading his team to a second straight championship game.

The senior not only pitched five hitless innings for the win, but also kickstarted the offense with a first-inning home run, as the No. 1 seed Cubs set the tone early and rarely looked in danger of elimination.

And head coach Corky Coffelt will be hoping for more of the same in Saturday’s decider against No. 2 Credo in Miranda.

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The Cubs have enjoyed some spectacular pitching and have played tough defense for much of the season, but offensively they haven’t always performed.

They’ll go into Saturday’s championship with some momentum, however, after hitting the ball well against the San Francisco school.

“I had two guys who didn’t have a hit, so I think we’re where we need to be,” Coffelt said of the NCS semifinal. “We just need to focus in and play like it’s a championship game, and if we can get out on them early, we’ve got to keep them at bay.”

The Cubs have plenty of championship experience, having defeated San Francisco Waldorf in the title game in Miranda a year ago.

And they’re not alone.

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On what could be a historic day for the school, the South Fork softball team will also play for a second straight NCS championship on Saturday.

St. Bernard’s (2009 and ’11), Ferndale (’03) and Hoopa (1979) have all claimed an NCS baseball and softball double in the same year before, but the Cubs will look to make history by becoming the first school to do it in back-to-back years.

Van Meter will be key to achieving that.

The senior pitcher will get the start on the mound again, with Cooper Scott expected to close out for the second straight game.

Van Meter is 7-2 on the season with a ridiculous ERA of 0.11.

Scott is 2-1 with an ERA of 0.47.

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Two other seniors — first baseman Orin Paula and catcher Cody Wyatt — will also be playing their final games for the Cubs and hoping to close out with a second championship.

Wyatt has been a pivotal presence behind the plate during his time at South Fork.

Scott was 1-for-3 in Wednesday’s win, while Tanner Curran was 2-for-4.

South Fork is 14-6 on the season, while Credo, out of Rohnert Park, is 13-5.

Saturday’s baseball championship is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the softball showdown at 2 p.m.

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