ETNA – The Tulelake Honkers baseball team came into Friday’s double dip with the Etna Lions tied with Fall River for first place in the Shasta Cascade League at 9-3. A sweep of the Lions meant at least a share of the SCL crown for Tulelake in its first year in the league. It didn’t happen.

Instead, the Lions came from behind to win the first game, 7-6. Tulelake won the second game, 7-3, but the game one loss coupled with Fall River’s (11-3) sweep of Burney (2-12) knocked the Honkers out of contention.

Tulelake held a 6-4 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning of game one, but a miscue opened the door for the Lions. With one out, Colby Rimmer reached on an error, and advanced to third on a double by Erik Freckman. Rimmer scored on a deep fly ball by Tanner Schaefer. Clint Eastlick plated Freckman with a base hit, tying the game 6-6.

Eastlick relieved Etna starter Rimmer in the top of the sixth inning, and struck out the side.

Tulelake brought in their ace, Drew Huffman, in the bottom of the sixth, and he retired the Lions in order. Eastlick struck out three and walked one Honker in the top of the seventh inning.

Johnson led off the bottom of the seventh with a soft fly ball that dropped in for a base hit. Rimmer sacrifice bunted Johnson to second. Johnson moved to third base on a passed ball. Freckman stepped to the plate, having homered and doubled already in the game for the Lions.

The Honkers brought their outfield in. Freckman hammered a shot to deep right-center field, driving in Johnson for the game-winner, 7-6.

Eastlick earned the win for the Lions. Huffman took the loss for the Honkers.

In game two, it was the Honkers’ turn for a comeback win. Eastlick started for Etna and left after the fifth inning with a 3-2 lead,

Tulelake tied the game in the top of the sixth inning. Jacob Woodson led off with a walk, went to second on a passed ball, and third on a wild pitch. Woodson scored on a sacrifice fly by Zane Burrier, knotting the contest, 3-3.

Jake Walden took the hill for the Honkers in the bottom of the sixth and had a 1-2-3 inning.

Tulelake put up four runs in the top of the seventh to win the game. Walden reached on an error to lead off, and went to second on a passed ball. Huffman was intentionally walked, making it Honkers on first and second. Nick Staub singled to load the bases, with no outs. Adam Kandra drove in Walden and Huffman with a base hit. Staub was tagged out in a run down between second and third base.

Kandra stole second base, and continued to third on a throwing error. Woodson walked. Kandra scored on a passed ball, and Woodson went to third. Woodson scored on a fly out by Max Crawford, giving the Honkers the 7-3 win.

Walden notched the win for the Honkers. Johnson, who relieved Eastlick in the sixth, took the loss for Etna.

Tulelake (10-4, 18-8) may finish second, tied for second, or in third place depending on the outcome of the Trinity (9-3, 13-13) and Weed (2-10, 6-15) double header next week. The Honkers came into the week ranked fourth in NSCIF D-V playoff points, ahead of Mercy (13-8). However, Mercy won their league (6-0) and may jump over the Honkers.

Etna (7-7, 15-15) finished fifth in the SCL, behind Mt. Shasta (8-6, 10-13). Etna came into the week ranked fourth in NSCIF D-IV playoff points. After going 3-1 for the week, they will likely stay in that spot.

The NSCIF seeding meeting takes place on Wednesday, May 12. Pairings will be posted on SiskiyouYouth as soon as available.