HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s baseball team put the finishing touches on a dazzling regular season Monday with a pair of hard-fought wins over Caney Valley, prevailing 12-4 and 6-5.
The wins lifted the Cubs to a 19-1 record and secured a Pioneer League championship.
“Caney has a good lineup, so for our pitchers to hold them down like they did was big,” Humboldt head coach Mike Miller said.
Trey Sommer handled the pitching chores in the opener, pitching into the sixth inning, while allowing three hits with seven strikeouts.
The Cubs led 4-1 before Caney struck for three runs in the top of the sixth.
But Humboldt seized control with eight runs in the bottom of the inning.
“Their pitching was equally as good,” Miller said. “We just came up with some big hits in crucial spots.”
Kaiden Barnett went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs. Gavin Page had a pair of singles, two RBIs and a run. Ethan Lucke also singled twice with a run.
Sommer scored three runs with a single and an RBI.
Logan Page came on in the sixth inning to finish off the victory. He allowed one hit with three strikeouts.
ANOTHER pitchers’ duel started the nightcap before Humboldt scored four times in the fourth to break things open.
Kyler Isbell kept the Bullpup bats under control, but wobbled a bit in the sixth as Caney Valley pulled to within 6-4.
He struck out five and allowed nine hits.
For the second time in as many games, Page was summoned to shut the door. And for the second time in as many games, he did just that, retiring the only batter he faced.
“Trey and Kyler were really good in their starts and Logan was great in relief,” Miller said.
Blake Ellis singled twice with an RBI and run scored. Sam Hull and Barnett both had doubles. Each also drove in two runs. Page also singled and scored a run.
“WE HAD a great regular season, but now the real season starts with regionals,” Miller said.
