When we last left our beloved Crabbies, they were in last place, reeling from a huge series loss to the Potters to open their league schedule, and squeaking by an inferior Stockton Pearls team thanks to a walk-off grand slam from Colton Boardman to break even for the week. They had a daunting schedule with seven games in six days in front of them, but they were all league games and a chance to right the ship. The losses and adversity would prove to be a blessing in disguise, and our boys’ response would reshape the season. Seven league games, seven wins to propel them into first place. It was a week of outstanding pitching, “Yarty Parties” and resilience that may come to define this Crabs team and the summer to come.
On Tuesday night, the Crabs welcomed the Marysville Giants to town for what should have been a five-game series in four days. They’d get four of those games due to a rain out, but the week included a doubleheader. With the new league format, it’s something that will happen most weeks. In game one, the Crabs would see more of the same dominance from San Diego State University’s Evan Miranda. With two of their main starting pitchers down with injuries, the Crabbies have had to get creative with how they use their staff, and Miranda has been the best pitcher they’ve run out this summer. He threw five shutout innings while striking out nine to continue his dominant summer and pick up the win. Offensively, the boys were paced by Jamie Mullin and Ryan VandenBrink. Mullin had three hits and two RBIs with a home run mixed in, his fourth of the summer. VandenBrink, who can’t seem to not hit a ball hard, added three hits and an RBI. Good guys take game 1, 8-1.
Because of new league formatting that focuses on every team playing the same number of games, weekly seven-inning doubleheaders have been added to the schedule. This makes sense from a standings and league standpoint but can create daunting situations for the pitching staff midweek. In game one, the Crabs’ arms were outstanding. Ben Lukens and Bryson Schelp have proven themselves to be Swiss Army knives for the Crabbies and are ready to go at a moment’s notice in every situation. Lukens, who is an Arcata local, would throw six shutout innings to get the win, and Schelp would tack on a scoreless inning to conserve the shutout. Offensively the Crabs were paced by another home run from Mullin, his fifth, and two doubles and an RBI from Adam Enyart, who was only getting started for the week. VandenBrink added two hits and two RBIs to stay hot, and the Crabs took game 1 of the doubleheader 4-0.
After a quick 30-minute break, we were back in action for game 2. The dominant pitching continued for the Crabs as Jackson Kelly came out with his A game, throwing four innings in a spot start while giving up one run and striking out six. But the story of the game would be the birth of the term “Yarty Party.” Last year’s NCJ MVP Enyart would be electric. He went 3-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs. Kawana Soares, who is back for his third summer with the Crabs and continues to be the heart and soul behind the plate, added two hits, four RBIs and a home run. VandenBrink added to the murderer’s row in the middle of the lineup with two more doubles and two RBIs. Crabs cruise through game two of the doubleheader 14-7.
Thursday, the “Yarty Party” continued. He went 3-5, hit another home run, a double and drove in three — just another day at the office. Newcomer Anane Wilson would get on the board with his first home run of the summer, and Manoa Chapman began to heat up on what would turn out to be a big week for him as a new Crab. Schelp continued to throw well, earning the win in relief, throwing two shutout innings while striking out four. Crabbies seized the day, carpe diem, 12-4.
On Friday, it rained. After more games than actual days in the last week and a half, it was a welcome reprieve for the Crabs. And after the beating Marysville had taken, it was likely a welcome turn of events for them, as well. I’m still not sure how the logistics worked out, but the Crabs took the win via forfeit ahead of the Lincoln Potters coming to town for a huge showdown and a shot at redemption.
Saturday night, game 1, the Crabs came out throwing haymakers. Schelp, who had already earned a win two nights ago, got the call to start. “We’ve had a couple injuries to our starters, and with the doubleheaders and the amount of games, we’ve had to get creative,” said Head Coach Jeff Giacomini. “We were planning on using Schelp as an opener and just see how far he could get us, then we had a plan to pitch by committee after that. He gave us way more,” he said. After a scoreless first two innings on the mound for Shelp, his teammates responded. In the bottom of the second inning, the Crabs plated eight runs. Joe Fagan got things rolling with an RBI single to drive in Enyart after a walk. Manoa Chapman stayed hot, driving in three with a double. Tyler Howard drove him in with a double. Then, there it was again: a Yarty Party. Enyart came to the plate and homered yet again, his team-leading sixth of the year, and would plate three more. The rout was on. Shelp would throw five shutout innings, striking out six. Soares would add three hits and two RBIs. Crabs smash the Potters 14-7.
On Sunday, with pixie dust trickling in from the Fairy Festival on the plaza, the Crabs went for an undefeated week and a sweep of the Potters. Having to stay creative with their pitching staff, who did they turn to? You guessed it, Enyart to start on the hill. He hadn’t thrown in a week since picking up the first and only save against the Potters in the lone win for the Crabs in the series the week prior. So he was due for an outing. He’s usually used as a reliever or closer, but as mentioned, Giacomini was getting creative and had reliever extraordinaire Miranda set to back Enyart up. It would prove to be a masterful plan, as Enyart threw four innings, giving up one run while striking out six. Miranda went the distance in relief, giving up one run and striking out three. Offensively, Manoa Chapman was at the top of the lineup contributing three hits and two RBIs. Jamie Mullin stayed hot in the middle of the lineups with three doubles and two RBIs, and even with his contributions on the mound, the party continued as Enyart picked up the win and added two hits and two more RBIs.
“Our depth has really shown, and I feel like we have a lot of options and guys you can plug in in any situation, and we aren’t losing anything; we are still set up for success,” said Giacomini. “Our returners are real leaders, and it trickles down, and they have really led by example.” He added. The skipper couldn’t be more right. Soares, back for his third summer, has anchored the pitching staff behind the plate while hitting .426 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 15 games played. Enyart has the save of the summer for the Crabs, with two wins, a 2.35 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 15 innings. He is also hitting .389 with six home runs and 29 RBIs in 23 games.
The Crabs have won seven in a row and climbed into first place in their league. They are back in action for two non-conference games against the Bay Area Force starting Tuesday, before getting back into league action against the Solano Mudcats for a four-game weekend set starting Thursday. Go Crabs, go.
Heckle of the week:
After a Potters pitcher hit his fourth batter of the day, one of Humboldt’s faithful hecklers yelled at the righty to “Try with your left hand.” And during a mound visit, they also suggested to the coach, “Touch his butt!”
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 731 Dogs.
