All season long Maranda Deschampe has wielded a big bat for the Vikings. Here she drove the ball down the third base line and reached first on an errant throw against South Ridge. The Vikings lost by one run in a game that was close throughout.
The Cook County girls’ team suffered its first defeat of the year on Thursday, April 28 when they traveled to Two Harbors to play the host Agates. Cook County lost 10-0 in four innings. The game was called because of the 10-run rule.
Carlton 17, Vikings 4
On Friday, April 30, Carlton defeated the Vikings 17-4 in a game played at the Grand Marais Recreation Park. Carlton’s Abby Mickle struck out 3, giving up 6 hits and 4 runs over five innings.
Maranda Deschampe drove in two runs with a big double, but the Viking hitters were largely shut down.
Carlton’s Hannah Benson went 4-4 from the plate with a grand slam. She drove in 6 runs for Carlton.
Esko 7, Vikings 2
On Monday, May 2 the Vikings hosted Esko and lost 7-2. On the mound for Esko was Emilee Wilson whose father is a Cook County native and high school graduate of CCHS.
Alex Slanga pitched well for the Vikings, striking out nine batters over seven innings while giving up six earned runs and four bases on balls.
Esko scored two runs in the second, two in the fourth and two in the fifth innings before tacking on one more in the seventh to take the win.
Maranda Deschampe and Hanna Borson each had doubles for the Vikings.
Cook County 11, Barnum 10
The Vikings traveled to Barnum on Tuesday, May 3 to face the always-tough Barnum Bombers, and they eked out a win.
Alex Slanga took the win for the Vikings, again pitching a complete game. Alyssa Spry scored three runs, Maddy Roy was 2-4 with a double and 3 RBIs; and Hanna Borson scored three runs for the Vikings.
South Ridge 5, Vikings 4
As far as losses go, this one had to hurt more than most. The Vikings played host to the South Ridge Panthers on Wednesday, May 4 and had a 3-0 lead in the top of the third and looked to be in control. In that third inning the first two batters that faced Viking pitcher Alex Slanga hit the ball back to her and she threw them out to first.
However, the next batter reached first on an error and the second batter also reached on an error. A single drove in two runs and one more single drove in the tying run before the Vikings’ left fielder caught a long fly ball to end the inning with the score tied 3-3.
The Vikings took the lead back in the top of the fourth after the first batter flied out. That brought up Spry who singled then stole second. A long single by hot-hitting Maranda Deschampe drove her in. Trace McQuatters singled to move Deschampe to second but the Vikings’ inning ended on a fly out and a strike out.
Roy caught a popup from the Panthers’ first hitter in the fifth inning but an infield error allowed the next Panther to get to first base. She stole second base and got to third on a sacrifice fly. Once again the Panthers managed to put points on the board with two outs, scoring two to take a 5-4 lead.
Neither team scored in the sixth inning. Slanga struck out the first batter she faced and Viking shortstop Abby Crawford made a nice play on a hard grounder and made a good throw to get the second out. Borson caught a long fly to the outfield to put the side down in order.
The Vikings held South Ridge scoreless in the top of the seventh and then came to the plate and tried to tie the score. McQuatters was up first and she grounded out to first base. Next Maranda Deschampe took her turn at bat and grounded out to second. Up next, Abby Prom walked, and then stole second and then she stole third to put the tying run 60 feet from home plate with Maddy Roy on deck. Roy battled the lanky Panther pitcher to a full count before going down on strikes to end a thrilling albeit disappointing game for the Vikings.
The girls’ next home game is Tuesday, May 10 at the Rec. Park at 4:30 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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