A roaring start for Grizzlies

Win doubleheader to open the season

Starting pitcher A.J. Braganti of the Del Norte Grizzlies American Legion baseball team throws a pitch against Southern Humboldt on Sunday in Crescent City. Del Norte earned 5-3 and 13-3 wins to open the season. For more photos, go to triplicate.com/photos. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

On Sunday at home in doubleheader action against the Southern Humboldt Sixers, the Grizzlies won 5-3 and, in five innings, 13-3.

Del Norte had a late start and got only three practices in before the season began, but did not show much rust to open the year.

“We’re a young team and it was good to see them come out, be aggressive and hit the ball,” head coach Eric Enos said. “They hit the ball very well in critical situations and did an excellent job bringing runners in.”

The Grizzlies smacked in seven hits in game one and 10 in the second contest.

In the first game, Del Norte jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Aaron Fitch hit a double to center field with two outs to bring in A.J. Braganti and Curtis Paulson.

With Del Norte up 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Sixers scored two runs as the game ended 5-3, Grizzlies.

In game one, Braganti pitched a complete contest with three strikeouts and gave up two hits and seven walks.

Fitch was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Isaac Saunders went 1-for-3 with an RBI as did Tim Drafhal and Trevor Gallian.  Zack Anderson went 1-for-2 with a run.

John Fertig and Braganti both went 1-for-3 with a run apiece.

Zack Anderson of the Del Norte Grizzlies gets ready to make a play in the infield during a game against Southern Humboldt on Sunday at home. Anderson is from Illinois Valley High in Oregon. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Being so early in the season, Enos said  that they are still working out some kinks and need to do a better job with baserunning, pitch management and reducing fielding errors.

But overall things went well on Sunday, Enos said.

“We’re just happy we opened the season with two victories,” Enos said. “They are willing to do the little things to win games.”

In game two, Zack Anderson pitched a complete contest and gave up three runs and eight hits.

Drafhal was 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs for the Grizzlies and Fertig went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs and a run.

Curtis Paulson went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Joey LeFebvre went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Fitch was 1-for 2 with an RBI.

Tonight, Del Norte will face Grants Pass, Ore., on the road starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday they will travel to Oroville to face El Dorado and Oroville.