Kloe Bryant
Arcata High School’s varsity Baseball team has made a somewhat unprecedented section playoff run this season, advancing all the way to the finals against Kennedy High School this Friday 5/30. After a rough season last year, missing the playoffs all together, the Tigers started strong, going 7-2 through their first 9 games, including 5 wins by double digits. A rough stretch of games led them to a 5-8 league record and a 16-11 record overall. Good enough for a playoff spot, the Tigers secured the 2 seed in the NCS Division 5 playoffs.
The Tigers win streak began before playoffs started after securing a 10 inning 7-6 thriller walk-off win against St. Bernards on their senior night. Since then Arcata has shut out Ygnacio Valley in a dominant 15-0 win, defeated De Anza 10-2 in their second playoff game, and beat St. Bernards 5-2 in a semi-finals rematch to move to 3-0 against them on the season.
This season has been full of unseen challenges and injuries, with multiple starters missing time. Sophomore Canyon Martin was the first to fall with an elbow injury in the beginning of the season where he would not return. Senior and 3-4 year Varsity starter Jonah O’Brien left the team mid season amidst personal reasons. Another 4 year varsity starter and star center fielder Anthony Ebert would miss weeks with an elbow injury following a collision at home plate during Arcata’s last regular season game.
Despite the struggles, Arcata has found themselves in a fortunate position, playing their NCS championship game against Kennedy on home turf, hoping to continue a 6 game winning streak at home, and bring home their second section title in 3 years.