Crabs Sweep Mudcats; Seals Next

By Ray Hamill

A pair of local standouts came up big Wednesday night as the Crabs took both ends of a doubleheader with the Solano Mudcats.

In a tightly contested nightcap, Eureka native Brad Morgan celebrated his 22nd birthday by scoring the winning run in the bottom of the sixth as the Crabs edged out a 3-2 victory. In earlier action, former Arcata High star Greg Fisher threw just 79 pitches in seven innings, as the Crabs shut out the Mudcats 7-0.

Fisher, who got his first victory of the summer, allowed just three hits while walking one and striking out six.

“It was a good job by Fisher,” Crabs manager Matt Nutter said. “It’s fun to watch him pitch out there. He did a heck of a job. It was just a solid game from everyone.”

Tommy Pavesi and Kevin Silvett each finished 2-for-3 in the win, as the Crabs blew open a tight game with four runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth. Catcher JJ Ethel also finished 1-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. And with Fisher in control on the mound, that would prove to be more than enough offense.

The second game was much closer with the Crabs unable to put any distance between them and their opponents until late. Once again Pavesi came up big for the home team, driving in Morgan for the winning run while pinch hitting for Jeff Giacomini.

On the mound, Thomas Whitsett improved to 2-0 with the win, allowing just four hits in six innings, while walking one and striking out two.

“Once he settled down, he threw well,” Nutter said of Whitsett.

Eric Draxton pitched the seventh and final inning for his first save of the season.

Morgan, who has been impressive for the Crabs through the early going, was hit by a pitch to reach base to lead off the bottom of the sixth, before advancing to second on a beautifully place Logan Lotti bunt. Then, after advancing to third on a wild pitch, Morgan scored moments later on Pavesi’s clutch hit

The Crabs opened up a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second on the strength of some outstanding hustle from center fielder Steve Detwiler. Detwiler was hit by a pitch to reach base, before stealing second and advancing all the way to third on a wild throw. He scored moments later on a wild pitch.

At the plate, the Crabs managed just four hits total, one each from Pavesi, Lotti, Karson Klauer and Nick Leid

The Crabs (8-2) will open a weekend stand with the San Jose Seals Friday night at 7.