Warriors ready to roll

Doubleheader versus Fortuna starts at 11 a.m.

T.J. Scott of Del Norte High gets ready to throw a pitch during a game earlier this year. Today, the Warriors face Fortuna in a doubleheader at home. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Due to almost daily rainy weather in March, Del Norte had six games canceled, with coaches saying it appears that they will not be made up at this time.

Despite the limited number of games this far into the season, the coaching staff believes that the potential is there for a successful year in the Big 5.

Del Norte takes on Fortuna in doubleheader action starting at 11 a.m. The Warriors are 2-1 for the year.

Head coach Pablo Lorenzi said on Friday that the squad has been focused the past few practices, following a disappointing loss on Tuesday.

To Lorenzi, the team needs to do well in the fundamentals if they want to win today.

“We need to do the basic stuff like not making errors and being patient at the plate,” he said.

With a solid mix of upperclassmen and a roster full of young but talented players,  the components are certainly in place to succeed this year, Lorenzi said.

“We do have the potential. Now it’s a matter of can we be consistent and play good, fundamental baseball,” he said. “If we do that I think we’ll be OK.”

“I can’t wait to start league play,” senior Travis Stacey said. “We need to step it  up and take things seriously. ... It all comes down to who wants it the most.”

Austin Moore watches as his pitch reaches the plate during a game against Gold Beach, Ore. ., on March 31 in Crescent City. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

On Tuesday, the Warriors went up to Gold Beach and quickly found themselves down 9-0 after two innings. Despite two  horme runs, the Warriors could not mount a comeback and lost 12-7.

“They were way too nonchalant and way too ‘this is going to be a breeze,’” Lorenzi said on Tuesday. “I hope it’s a good lesson for them ... that you don’t take any opponent lightly. You always have to show up and play your best.”

Stacey said that he was “furious” after Tuesday’s game and said that this was the first time he had lost to Gold Beach.

He  hopes that the loss “was a wake-up call,” for the team. To him, he and his fellow players understand the importance of playing well today and starting the Big 5 season on a positive note.

 Last year, the Warriors took second in the Big 5 and made the playoffs.

Being unable to play until March 30 and having so many games canceled, as well as losing vital practice time outside  due to the rain, certainly puts the Warriors behind schedule. Lorenzi estimated the team is probably about a month behind due to all the delays.

“That was hard because with not having our practices outside, we were unable to really see what they could do,” he said.

As of Friday afternoon, Lorenzi said it appears that senior ace Layton O’Reilley will get the start in game one. Against Brookings, he threw 11 strikeouts. The game two starter is likely to be senior T.J. Scott.

Stacey has played in all three games this season, which has pleasantly surprised the coaches, who thought that he would likely not be back for at least several more weeks. He has been recovering from a broken wrist suffered during a basketball game in January.

Stacey is currently playing third base, with the coaches taking their time before they let him pitch. Stacey excelled from the mound last season and formed a formidable duo with O’Reilley.

On Friday, Stacey said that he would like the chance to throw in relief today, if the coaching staff will let him.

Next week, Del Norte plays at home against McKinleyville on Wednesday. On Saturday, they will face Eureka on the road.