Here’s a tip of the hat to the Vikings’ baseball team which has gone on quite a win streak.
Over the last two weeks the Vikings have taken seven wins with one loss, as they get ready for the playoffs. Here are some excerpts of the most recent games played.
Vikings take win over Floodwood
Last Thursday, May 17, the Vikings traveled to Floodwood and took a lopsided win.
“It wasn’t a particularly pretty game,” said head coach Arleigh Jorgenson. “Our Vikings uncharacteristically committed seven errors. Our pitchers walked eight and hit two batsmen, but gave up only six hits. These miscues allowed the Polar Bears to hang around and we had to keep our foot on the gas offensively.”
The Vikings turned the corner in the third inning when Floodwood’s pitcher reached his pitch count and had to be pulled from the mound.
“We ended up receiving 18 walks, had seven hit batsmen, and received the benefit of six errors, while gaining 12 hits. It became a football score of 34-13.
“Floodwood battled hard. They are trying to recover what has been a very strong program, and we wish them well.”
Vikings down Moose Lake
The next day Moose Lake came to town and Andrew Miller went to the mound for the Vikings.
The result was a five-inning 15-2 Viking victory.
“Andrew struck out 10, walked four, and gave up three hits,” Jorgenson said. “Colton Furlong was 3 for 4, one of which was a double. He scored once, drove in two, and stole two bases.
“Joe Deschampe was 1 for 3 with a run scored and two RBIs.
“Josh Prom hit two triples, scored twice, and drove in three.
“Connor Somnis had just one official at bat, but scored three times and drove in two.
“This win secured a tie for second in the Polar League with South Ridge. Esko finished on top,” said Jorgenson.
With no rest for the weary—not that kids this age get weary—the Vikings hopped on a bus the next day, Saturday, May 19, and headed for Ely to play two games.
Vikings win one, lose heartbreaker
The first opponent was Mounds Park Academy from St. Paul. Tristen Bockovich took the ball and the Vikings cruised to a 10-1 victory.
Bockovich struck out nine, walked five, and scattered five hits.
Offensively, Jorgenson said it was a team effort. Colton Furlong was 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored, and 2 RBIs. Josh Prom was 2 for 3, with a double, a run scored, a stolen base and one RBI.
Dillon Sjogren had a double, scored, and drove in one. Connor Somnis walked three times, scored each time, stole a base, and received credit for one RBI.
“Our second game resulted in a disappointing 10-9 loss to Mesabi East,” said Jorgenson.
The game started well for the Vikings when Andrew Miller hit a home run over the right field wall.
“In the second inning, we scored three more with a Josh Prom double and three walks, and in the third we scored another added one in the fourth and led 6-1,” coach Jorgenson said. “But, in the fourth, five hits and a walk allowed Mesabi East to plate five runs. In the sixth, three hits, a walk, and a hit batsman resulted in a 10-6 lead for the Giants.
“Our Vikings rallied for three, with two hits and a walk, but the game ended 10-9. It is a game we could a, should a won, but it is baseball. The team fought to the end, however, and returned home still confident.
“This Friday, May 25 Northeast Range comes to town, and playoffs begin on May 29 and May 31. It was quite a week, but the best is yet to come,” noted coach Jorgenson.
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