Above: Cameron Roy tagged the base for the force out as the runner slid into second. Roy made a nice throw to first base with Tristen Bockovich (21) looking on, but the runner at first was safe. Left: Colton Furlong, a junior, collected two hits against Esko providing the Vikings’ only real offensive spark against the Eskomos.
Last Friday’s game in Soudan vs. Northeast Range was postponed due to a field that was saturated on Thursday, so, said head coach Arleigh Jorgenson, “Our third game of the season took place yesterday in Esko. There was a weather window that allowed the game to be played, although there was a 15-minute rain delay after the third inning. The game ended 10-0 when Esko scored their tenth run in the bottom of the sixth.”
Jorgenson sports a team of talented baseball players, but most are sophomores or younger.
“Our pitching and defense is on track after only three games of play. It will improve as well, but for a cold and wet day, we liked what we saw. Our offense, however, has yet to emerge. Colton Furlong did go two for three. Hits were added by Tristen Bockovich and Garrett Curran, but that was it.”
Sophomore pitcher Andrew Miller, who came on like gangbusters last year, is finding his groove on the hill.
“On the mound, Andrew Miller took down the Eskomos in the first, 1-2-3, with a fly ball to Josh Prom in center and two strikeouts. In the second, however, Esko found their bats and came up with five hits and three runs. In the third, two walks, an error, and a hit yielded three more runs.
“Andrew threw the ball well,” Jorgenson said, “But the Esko boys can hit the ball. As the season moves along and the weather warms a little, we are confident that Andrew will be able to mix his pitches a little more effectively to hold down a strong hitting team.”
Following the rain delay Jorgenson said Dillon Sjogren took the mound “and threw the ball well also. Two fly balls to Josh and a strikeout returned our offense to the plate. In the fifth, two walks, two hits, and an error brought in two more runs for Esko. Josh Prom made a diving catch in center, which was the defensive highlight of the afternoon for both sides.”
Not wanting to over expose his pitchers to throwing in the cold, Jorgenson brought in another sophomore to close out the game.
Above: Showing great pitching form, Tristen Bockovich sports a nice fastball and has some action on his curve ball. The sophomore got in an inning of pitching against Esko.
“As the temperature dropped, Tristen Bockovich climbed the hill to try to hold down the Eskomos. A ground ball to short started things off, and Tristen was throwing hard. Two hits and a walk followed, and then a strikeout, for out number two. A single followed which drove in the final two runs.
“We are keeping our chins up,” said the coach. “Esko is never an easy opponent, and to face them early in the season on a cold wet day, was a challenge. But, as a team, we saw enough to be encouraged. Our bats need to heat up. We all know it, and we are all working hard. We are hopeful that winter will soon give up and allow us to grow into the kind of baseball we believe we are capable of becoming.
“We are scheduled to travel to Moose Lake on April 27, and on Saturday, to Silver Bay for a doubleheader with Silver Bay and Cherry beginning at noon. Our next home game will be against Barnum on Tuesday, May 2 at 4 p.m.”
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