Hoopa Alumni Show How It’s Done on the Field

Shantel Kneeland (Class of 2011) got ready as Lady Warrior Winnie Carpenter stepped up to the plate. / Photo by Kristan Korns, Two Rivers Tribune

By KRISTAN KORNS, Two Rivers Tribune

Graduates from Hoopa Valley High School took on the Hoopa Warriors on the baseball diamond, and the Lady Warriors on the softball field, in twin pre-season Alumni games Friday, March 1, 2013.

Despite two in-field home runs from Warriors Jeremy Applegate and Joseph Bain, the team couldn’t quite match the fight put up by the ‘old dogs.’

Robert Buckman (Class of 2011) and Coach Wes Crawford were the leading hitters, going two for three each, and Rod Gulley (Class of 1995) got the win.

The Alumni defeated the Warriors 7-5. There will be a rematch on Tuesday, Mar. 12, at 3 pm, and any and all Hoopa Valley High School Alumni are encouraged to show up and play.

The Lady Warriors faced some tough competition of their own.

Assistant Coach Darin Jarnaghan pointed to the field and said, “Between the Alumni, they’ve won three championships.”

Ryan Colegrove (Class of 1998), Melia Jarnaghan (Class of 2006), Shantel Kneeland (Class of 2011), Assistant Coach Chenone Blake and the rest of the graduates gave the girls a tough fight.

The Lady Warriors pulled ahead in the last inning to defeat the Alumni 5-3.

Both Hoopa teams will start their seasons on Saturday, Mar. 9. The Warriors will play a double header on the road against Trinity starting at noon, and the Lady Warriors will play at home against Arcata at 2 pm and 4 pm.

Bradley Hostler (Class of 2012) slides into home plate past Hoopa Warrior Clinton Kane Jr. as Coach Wes Crawford (left) watched on Friday, March 1. /Photo by Kristan Korns, Two Rivers Tribune