Crabs Rally wins third series in a row | Get Out

After an exciting week that included three walk-off wins and their first conference series victory, the Humboldt Crabs appeared to have turned the corner after an 0-7 start in conference play. They had a day to enjoy it before diving into a new week of challenges that included six games in six days.

Momentum can be fickle, especially in baseball. On Tuesday night, they hosted the Solano Mudcats in town for a three-game series, but the magic of last week wasn’t there, and after the 10-0 loss in the opening game, the Crabs and their loyal supporters may have thought, “It was fun while it lasted.” But this team and community are built differently. Baseball players have to have short memories to be able to close the chapter, and on Wednesday night, the Crabs stormed back and did just that.

Billy Ham and Troy Harding set the Crabbies’ offensive pace with two RBIs each. The real story, however, was the Crabs’ bullpen, a strength all summer. Max Hippenstell, a product of the University of California Davis who was fresh off a great performance in Sunday’s extra-inning win, once again took the mound in absolutely dominant fashion, allowing one hit in three scoreless innings and striking out seven hitters to secure his second win in four days. “Everything was working. My fastball was coming out of my hand good and my change-up was absolutely lousy,” he said. Mad Max doesn’t lack confidence – exactly what you want and need in a reliever. The Crabs won the second game by a score of 7-3, with a series-clinching game in the biggest home game of the year looming.

The Fourth of July in Arcata begins with the Jubilee on the Plaza, which never disappoints. The Crabs took to the plaza before the game to mingle with the locals and show their gratitude to the community that supports them so much. They signed autographs, shook hands, took pictures; some even got wet in the diving pool. Then it was time to get back to the task at hand.

In front of a raucous crowd in red, white and blue and with six shutout innings from Caleb Ruiz, the Crabs won 5-1 to win not only the day but the series. Ty Kennedy led the offense with three hits and two RBIs.

The Crabs had just enough time to shower, eat a hot dog, and pack their bags before heading out to face the Medford Rogues and a heat wave the next morning. With temperatures as high as 41 degrees on the field, the Crabs lost the first game of the series 7-4. They fought back on Saturday night, showing the same resilience that is starting to characterize this team. After so many games in so many days, both teams pitched consecutively. The Medford Rogues ran seven different pitchers, and neither team threw more than three innings. Hippenstell continued his dominance with three more scoreless innings and four more strikeouts, while Blake Ignaciak added three more scoreless innings to get the win. The Crabs were led offensively all weekend by Jett Ruby. The leadoff man had four hits and three RBIs. Collin Callahan added two hits and three RBIs, while Ham drove in two runs and reached base five times. The Crabs won that battle of attrition 9-7 and entered Sunday’s contest with a chance to win their third straight series.

On departure day, the Crabs were out in front. The good guys came out swinging and put things out of reach early. Ruby, Callahan and Ham all had multiple hits. Jehee Lee added two hits and three RBIs and Keoni Coloma added his first home run of the summer and five RBIs. Left-hander Nolan Long allowed one run in five innings and picked up his fourth win of the summer.

The Crabs were back home this week starting Tuesday, July 9, playing the Alameda Anchors (results not available at press time). They will also host a weekend series against the West Coast Kings.

Interjection of the week

To the Solano Mudcats pitcher: “They are over the moon! At least today is the 4th of July. They are in the mood to celebrate!”

And later to the same pitcher: “Taco Bell is hiring!”

Brandon Dixon (he/him) is a former All American who played college baseball for Orange Coast College, Point Loma Nazarene, and the Peninsula Oilers. He is a husband and father of two little girls and also host of the podcast The Brando Show.