Above: In a close play at the plate, it looked to Vikings fans like Levi Sheils beat the throw and tag but was called out at home in the game against Silver Bay. Left: Adam Dorr pitched a complete game against the Mariners, holding the team from Silver Bay to just one run. Staff photos/Laurie Johnson
You know it’s spring when the robins return, and the crack of a baseball can be heard to the roar of a crowd. Both occurred last week in Cook County.
Andrew Miller pitched six strong innings, striking out 14 Wrenshall Wrens to lead the Vikings to a 6-4 home opening win played on Thursday, April 18. It was also the Vikings’ first game of the season after five games were canceled due to a late winter snowstorm.
With the score knotted 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth Josh Prom blasted a double down the left field line to drive in two runs and make the score 6-4, which held up for the win.
Miller, who was credited with the victory, gave up five hits and four runs in six innings. Prom came in the last inning in relief and didn’t give up a run.
Wrenshall took the early 1-0 lead in the first inning, scoring on a stolen base. The Vikings tied the game in the third and took a two-run lead in the fourth inning before the Wrens scored two in the top of the sixth to knot the score.
Joe Deschampe led the Viking hitters going 2-4 at the plate and driving in one run. Andrew Miller was 1-4 with an RBI. Dillon Sjogren was 1-3 with a walk and an RBI.
Adam Dorr got a hit and drew a walk in his two at-bats, scoring a run. Aram Falter walked twice and scored twice, and Cameron Roy reached base three times on walks.
The Vikings played errorfree ball in the field, with Dillon Sjogren making 13 plays on balls hit to him.
Wrens’ starter Silverio last five innings, giving up three hits and three runs while striking out four in five innings. He was relieved by Wimmer, who allowed three hits and three runs while striking out two. Wimmer took the loss for the Wrens.
With water on the field earlier in the day, it took a great effort to clear it away so the game could be played. Many people thought the game wouldn’t be played, but as head coach Arleigh Jorgenson explained, “If the weather is bad, but we decide to go anyway, I will be working furiously right up until game time to take infield. There was no decision made before that. As much as folks would like to know for sure, cancellations occur only at the very last moment. When the weather is iffy, no one will know for sure the day before.”
As for the players, it was great to get outside for a change. The Vikings have been mainly practicing in the gym since the start of the season. Head coach Arleigh Jorgenson said, “Wrenshall was a worthy opponent and did go ahead late, but did not prevail in the end. It was the first day on a baseball field this spring for both teams. Both teams made some mistakes, but our Viking boys produced just enough offense to get the win and played error-free.
“Both teams struggled to hit well, but both teams were trying to take things they have been working on in the gym out onto the dirt. Our goal as a team is to keep focused on bringing our inside work outside.”
JV wins
The Viking junior varsity (JV) took to the field right after the varsity game ended and also came away with a win.
“Our second game was a game between our JV combined with our junior high against theirs. We started out with our JV,” said coach Jorgenson. “Tate Crawford pitched three innings. Isaac Sandstrom singled, took second on an error. He later scored our first run on a passed ball. The game was tied until our junior high team took the lead when Ryan Shannon connected to drive in two more runs. Hunter Gomez got the save.
“It was a good day. It felt pretty good for our players to finally get out under the sun and onto the dirt to play. To prevail made it all the better,” said a happy coach.
Vikings beat Silver Bay
Adam Dorr pitched masterfully over seven innings, striking out four, walking one and allowing four hits and one run on a cold Monday, April 22 day, leading the Vikings to 3-1 victory over the Silver Bay Mariners.
Silver Bay would score its lone run in the first inning before Adam and the fine defense behind him closed the “door” on the Mariners offense.
Riley Tiboni, who pitched six strong innings, took the loss for the Mariners.
Levi Sheils, Cameron Roy and Aram Falter each collected two hits, with Roy driving in two RBIs. Roy singled sharply to center field in the bottom of the third, driving in Levi Sheils and Aram Falter to give the Vikings a 2-1 lead.
Miller singled to center field in the bottom of the fifth to bring Sjogren home for the Vikings’ final run.
Dillon Sjogren came very close to hitting a home run on a mile high drive to left that came within a foot or two of clearing the fence. Dillon doubled on the hit.
Once again the Vikings played outstanding defense, especially across the infield with Cameron Roy at third making several great scoops and throws, and Miller at short, fielding a half dozen hot grounders and making great throws to Joe Deschampe at first. Josh Prom showed his range at second on one play, venturing far out into right field to make a great catch. Levi Sheils, Aram Falter and Conner Somnis played error free ball in the outfield. Sjogren called and caught a great game at the catcher spot and Joe Deschampe, who was very busy at first, played error free ball.
Vikings fall to Esko
The next day the boys boarded the bus and traveled to Esko to play the Double A Eskimos.
Last year the Vikings fell by one run at home in the last inning to Esko, but this year the Eskimos had hot bats and took a commanding 16-0 lead after two innings and the game was effectively over, with the Vikings falling 18-1 after five innings.
Andrew Miller took the loss for the Vikings. Miller lasted one and one third innings, giving up nine hits and 12 runs. Andrew struck out two and walked one batter.
Meanwhile former Viking Noah Furcht was the winning pitcher for the Eskimos. Noah gave up two hits, struck out four batters and didn’t allow a run in the two innings he pitched.
Andrew Miller, Josh Prom and Dillon Sjogren each had one hit for the Vikings.
The Vikings travel for their next two games before playing Barnum at home on Tuesday, April 30 at 4 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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