YREKA – The last time the Yreka Miners and the Corning Cardinals hooked up, it was a one-run extra-innings win for Corning. So, it came as no surprise that the second meeting between the squads, on Thursday, also turned out to be low scoring. This time, however, it was the Miners who came out on top, 2-0.

The win puts Yreka on top of the Northern Athletic League at 5-2 (11-13), ahead of Central Valley (4-3, 15-11-1) and Corning (4-3, 9-10). It was also the Miners’ fifth straight win in NAL competition.

The Cardinals went down in order in the top of the first inning, thanks in large part to a sliding catch by Miner center-fielder Robert Moeai. Lead-off batter Ethan Garrett took a four-pitch walk to open up the bottom half of the inning. Garrett stole second, but the Miners were unable to bring him home.

Both teams had runners on base in the second and third innings, but the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Andrew Ward led off the fourth for Yreka with a double, and went to third base on a passed ball. Ward scored on an RBI single by Rodney Grant, giving the Miners a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Moeai led off with a walk. Garrett followed with a single, moving Moeai to second base. A double-play erased Garrett, but Moeai moved to third base and then scored on a wild pitch, making it 2-0, for Yreka.

Corning went down 1-2-3 in both the sixth and seventh innings, for a final of Yreka 2 – Corning 0.

Grant went 2-2 for Yreka, had an RBI, stole a pair of bases, and took a free pass. Ward was 1-3, with a run, and a double. Garrett went 1-2, with a walk and a steal. Wade Berryhill was 1-3. Moeai walked and scored a run. Garrett notched the complete game shutout (7IP, 0R, 2H, BB, 7K, HB). Garrett’s record is now 6-1, with three complete games.

Yreka will play next in Cottonwood, against West Valley on Friday, April 25.