The 82nd Humboldt Crabs season is in the book, and as the sun sets on another amazing summer, it is time to give out my annual team awards as part of the Best of Humboldt issue. The Crabbies gave fans one last week to show up and cheer for their boys, going undefeated, highlighted by a three-home run game from Chyran Humphries and two dramatic game-defining long balls from three-year veteran Kawana Soares. Now, it’s time to hand out the hardware.
Rookie of the year: Alex Harrington
In his first collegiate summer of baseball, the Stanford University-bound freshmen delivered in so many ways, showing a poise and moxie well beyond his years. While playing shortstop and centerfield, the kid would place in the top four in the league in stolen bases with 19 bags. A true catalyst in whatever role he was asked to take on, he hit .323 and closed out the season on Sunday a hit short of the cycle while hitting his first home run of the summer onto U.S. Highway 101.
Mustache of the year: Cody Collins
When we initially held this competition, mustache night was not on the books for the Crabs. I gathered the top mustaches on the team. The criteria stipulated there could be no connectivity to other facial hair. You had to isolate the stache and know who either Tom Selleck or Freddie Mercury was. Also, you couldn’t vote for yourself. Antonio Nordman and Jack Novak received votes, but Collins’ won the prestigious honor.
Pitcher of the year: Jackson Kelly
This was one of the most highly contested awards. Reliever Evan Miranda staked an early claim to the crown. Miranda dominated out of the bullpen for the Crabs, but his early departure opened up the competition to two other pitchers who had to operate in an enhanced role with huge games down the stretch. In a breakout summer, Bryson Schelp stepped up in a big way. Schelp had multiple starts in big spots, throwing up six innings of shutout baseball in consecutive weeks. The righty finished the season with a record of 4-1 and ERA of 3.41. Jackson Kelly had a record of 4-0 in five starts for the Crabs with a 3.91 ERA, but this award was earned by a historic night. In a huge league contest, Kelly threw the first no-hitter in Pacific Empire League history. The local, who has been around the Crabs since serving as a bat boy and whose family works for the team, struck out 10 hitters that night while walking none
Offensive Player of the Year/Captain’s Award: Kawana Soares
Returning for his third summer as a Crab, it was clear whom the players looked to as their captain: Soares, who seemed to find himself in the middle of every major situation, took pride in his role and delivered every time. After receiving the award and giving a heartfelt interview, thanking the fans and thinking on his budding career, he’d home in his next at bat. On the final day of the season, trailing 5-4, Soares hit a three-run homer to bring the fans to their feet and win the game 7-5. On the summer, Soares wrapped up an amazing career on the North Coast, catching the most games while hitting .398 with five home runs and 35 RBIs in 32 games played. Mahalo, Kawana.
Most Valuable Player: Adam Enyart
For the second year in a row, Enyart takes home this award. The two-way standout was 3-1 on the mound while adding two saves to lead the team. He had 42 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. At the plate after not hitting for a year, Enyart was dominant. He played in 50 of the grueling 54-game schedule. He hit .375 with six home runs and a league-leading 56 runs driven in. On the final day of the season, he started on the mound and threw five scoreless innings, while also doubling off the right centerfield fence. In one heated back-and-forth game, Enyart and the opposing pitcher were ejected from the game. It’s unclear why Enyart was tossed as the situation was clearly escalated by the pitcher. Chants of “Enyart, Enyart!” started rising from the Crabs faithful. Enyart, though disappointed, later joined the crowd for a much-deserved victory lap and even a trip to the broadcasting booth. After a thousand selfies and autographs, the game always knows. His roommate and good friend Soares hit the game-winning home run. It would be surprising if Enyart ever had to pay for a meal in Arcata again; he loved the fans and they loved him back. Couldn’t happen to a better kid.
Despite missing out on the championship series, the Crabs won 40 of their 54 games before putting a bow on another magical summer at the yard. Manager Jeff Giacomini thanked the fans, the Crab Grass Band and his family for the amazing summer in his first year at the helm.
Until next summer: Go Crabs Go!
Brandon Dixon (he/him) is a former All American who played college baseball for Orange Coast College, Point Loma Nazarene and the Peninsula Oilers. Father to two little girls, he’s also the host of The Brando Show podcast.
This article appears in BESTO! Best of Humboldt.
