Pitching leads the way satisfacti

O’Reilley and Scott help team to 3-0, 5-2 wins

Pitcher Layton O’Reilley of Del Norte High throws a pitch down the plate against Fortuna on Saturday. O’Reilley threw a complete game one-hitter. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Facing Fortuna in a doubleheader at home on Saturday in the first Big 5 Conference games of the season, the Warriors earned 3-0 and 5-2 wins over the Huskies.

In game one, senior Layton O’Reilley threw a one-hit, complete game performance. He struck out eight batters and gave up zero walks.

In the second game, senior T.J. Scott threw six solid innings, throwing for six strikeouts.

“It felt good to get two wins in our league,” O’Reilley said.

Head coach Pablo Lorenzi said pitching was the key reason the Warriors ended up with the two wins.

“Our pitching saved us,” he said.  “They really got us out of several jams.”

Del Norte improved to 4-1 for the season. Due to rainy weather throughout  March, Del Norte did not start the season until March 30 and had six contests canceled.

On Saturday, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm at the plate. While they were competent, Lorenzi said that due to the lack of playing time they are still a work in progress.

“We just haven’t been out enough and have not seen much live pitching,” Lorenzi said.

To Lorenzi, the potential to hit well is there and with more games under their belt, hopefully more consistent play from the plate will follow.

In the first game, the Warriors finally got on the board in the fourth inning when Nigell Gensaw and Travis Stacey both scored.

In the first contest, O’Reilley was in control as the Huskies could not get anything going. Fortuna did not even get a hit until a single in the 7th inning.

“His location was really good,” Lorenzi said. “He kept batters off balance.”

O’Reilley said things felt comfortable on the mound on Saturday and that he was able to hit his spots and pitch with good velocity.

In the second game, Del Norte quickly took a  2-0 lead after two innings of play.

Scott was also quite sharp and gave up only six hits. Lorenzi added that it’s always  nice to have a solid No. 2 pitcher to rely on.

Short of pitchers on Saturday, O’Reilley came in the final inning of game two to pitch.

In game one, Gensaw went 2-for-3 with a run and Stacey went 2-for-3 with a run. Aaron Fitch went 2-for-2 and Bronson Richards went 1-for-2.

In game two, Stacey went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Kody Osbourne was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. O’Reilley went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Gensaw had two runs and an RBI. Scott went 1-for-2 with a run.

On Wednesday, Del Norte faces McKinleyville at home starting at 4 p.m.

The Panthers are coming off a disappointing doubleheader loss to Eureka on Saturday. They fell to Eureka 5-2 and 7-6.

Lorenzi said that McKinleyville is a good team and they are coming up to Crescent City hungry for a win.

“We’ve got to play well,” Lorenzi said.

O’Reilley concurred.

“We have to want it more,” he said.

On Saturday Del Norte will rvel to face Eureka on the road. the first game will begin at 11 a.m.