CHERRYVALE — The Humboldt Cubs could not maintain their momentum in a Tri-Valley League doubleheader with Cherryvale Tuesday night.
After taking the first contest 5-3, the Cubs faltered when Cherryvale scored six unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings for a 7-5 victory.
“We lost a couple fly of balls in the twilight sky, made an error and it got away from us,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “Cherryvale has a good team and they made us pay.”
Humboldt sophomore starting pitcher Ty Shaughnessy pitched a no-hitter in the opener and allowed three runs on six walks. He put the Cubs on the scoreboard in the opening frame with an RBI single. An RBI grounder in the fourth inning by freshman first baseman Bentley Kolb tied the game 2-2.
“We were able to get off to a fast start in game one,” Coach Miller said.
“Ty struggled with his command a little but did a great job of making pitches to get out of some tough spots. We played great defense behind him to stay in the game.”
Both teams went back and forth from there until an RBI single by senior outfielder Grady Elder in the sixth led to the final lead change of the evening with the Cubs ahead 4-3.
An RBI single by freshman third baseman Mason Miller added an insurance run in the seventh.
Junior closer Luke Coronado picked up the save while relieving Shaughnessy in the sixth inning. Miller, Shaughnessy, Elder and Kolb had one RBI each. Junior designated hitter Kolton Hanson was Humboldt’s leading hitter while successful in 2 of 3 at-bats.
“We were facing a tough pitcher but came up with some big hits in key situations to add runs late,” Miller said. “Luke did a great job in relief with the help of some great defense to secure the win.”
In the nightcap, the Cubs jumped out to a 5-1 lead before imploding in the fifth.
Shaughnessy put the Cubs on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the opening frame. Junior starting pitcher Gavin Gunderman extended their lead with a second-inning sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI single from senior second baseman Mason Sterling.
Shaughnessy plated Humboldt’s final two runs off an RBI single, but Cherryvale took control from there.
“Gavin was really cruising right along until he ran into some trouble in the fifth,” Miller said. “He was able to get out of it with us still maintaining the lead. Looking back, I probably should have gone to the bullpen a little earlier.”
Gunderman took the loss with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks. Mason Miller came on in relief during the final inning for a strikeout. Shaughnessy had three RBI followed by Sterling and Gunderman with one each. Gunderman was also Humboldt’s leading hitter while successful in 2 of 3 at-bats.
