Left: In full wind up, Viking pitcher Travis Bradley threw a fastball by the McGregor batter. Bradley went the distance, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out seven and walking five on a cold, windy day. Above: Leo Jonson slid under the catcher’s tag to score a run for the Vikings who won their season opener 12-3 against the Mercuries.
Travis Bradley took the mound for the Vikings in the home opener against McGregor Mercs on Tuesday, April 7 and led the Vikings to a 12-3 win on a cold, blustery day. Temps never reached 40 F, and the wind off the lake made it feel more like 20 F. The only thing warming the hearts of Viking fans was the hot play of their team.
“Travis was stellar,” said Head Coach Arleigh Jorgenson. “It was hard to grip the ball and hard to stay warm and loose. He adjusted to the cold and felt good all the way, so we decided to stay with him rather than ask another pitcher to come in and try to deal with those temperatures. It also gave us all a chance to see what Travis, a transfer student, could do for us, and a chance for him to recognize what he could do for the team and claim some ownership.
“Cook County kids are a tight bunch, but Travis is one of us now, that’s for sure,” said Coach Jorgenson.
After shutting down the Mercs in the top of the first inning, Owen Anderson came up to bat and smacked a long drive into the right center gap. Running hard, Anderson slid into third for a triple.
The Vikings’ next two batters, Bradley and Jack Wieben, were both hit by pitches to load up the bases for Jamie Wick who responded by smacking a double over the center fielder’s head, driving in two runs. Colton Furlong drove in the third run of the inning when he beat out a ground ball to short.
The Vikings broke the game wide open in the third inning when they scored six runs. Wick and Leo Johnson led off the inning with walks and then Furlong singled to drive in Wick. Ethan Sporn, an eighth-grader, took first base on a walk to load the bases for Anderson who smacked a double, driving in Johnson, Wick, and Sporn. Bradley was up next and he was walked. Bradley promptly stole second and Wieben drove both Bradley and Sporn home with a single.
McGregor scored twice in the fourth inning and scored one run in the fifth inning but they wouldn’t score again.
The Vikings scored two in the bottom of the fifth when Anderson led off with his third hit of the day, a single. The speedy Anderson stole second and third before Bradley drove him home with a long double. Wick drove Bradley home with a two-out single.
Cook County scored again in the sixth inning when Sporn was walked and stole second. Anderson was walked and then Jaret Baker drove Ethan home with a two-out single.
“A few mistakes were made defensively, but our boys played well. It works that way when a team has confidence both on the mound and behind the plate.
“Kudos to Leo Johnson for strapping on the catcher’s gear and doing a great job. Jack Weiben took on the shortstop position and played well. He made a couple of mistakes, but they were physical mistakes. For the most part, he made the plays. When the ball found his glove he knew what to do with it and did it.
“Ethan Sporn was called up from the JV to play second base. He struggled a little with the bat, but was solid with his glove.
“Our outfield, anchored by Owen Anderson in center, was solid. Colton Furlong played left and Bubba Finke was in right field. Jamie Wick held down the hot corner (3rd base) and Jaret Baker played first. Both played well.”
The Vikings scored 12 runs on 11 hits and six walks (or hit batsmen), and only struck out five times.
The Vikings played Silver Bay on Thursday, April 9, and then followed with games the next day against Silver Bay and Two Harbors. The Vikings’ next home game is on Tuesday, April 14, against Floodwood. The game will start at 4:30 p.m.
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