Crabs, Glory Split Saturday doubleheader

By Ray Hamill

The Humboldt Crabs took the opening game of a Saturday doubleheader with the California Glory to stretch their winning streak to 11 straight, before the visitors battled back to take the nightcap in a shutout.

In the opening game, the Crabs saw a three-run advantage slip away late before Nick Melino drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, scoring Issac Vivas who had singled to reach base and advanced on an error and a Brad Morgan walk.

The 4-3 win, however, was followed by a 1-0 loss, the Crabs’ first defeat since falling to the Fontanetti A’s two weeks ago.

Once again, the Crabs started the stronger of the two teams, opening up a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, with six of the team’s first seven batters reaching base.

Karson Klauer led off the game with a walk, before Morgan singled. Melino then doubled to drive in the first run, before Tommy Pavesi doubled to plate two more runs.

At the plate, Melino finished 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, while first baseman Brandon Hayes and Morgan each added a pair of hits.

The visitors, however, battled back in the sixth to tie the game and with pitcher Roberto Rodriquez in command on the mound that would be enough to force extra innings.

Rodriquez, who pitched the entire game, allowed eight hits, walking three and striking out five.

On the mound for the Crabs, David Luna pitched six strong innings, but it was reliever Travis McCracken who got the win in relief, tossing one scoreless inning.

Defensively, Crabs shortstop Michael Reiling made the play of the game in the top of the fourth on a diving snag.

In game two, the Crabs mustered just two hits, one each from Klauer and Jeff Giacomini.