Left: Sprinting with everything he had, Colin Everson beat out a single to first base in the Vikings’ first game of the season against Moose Lake-Willow River. The Vikings won the contest 3-2 in the 7th inning on the last play of the game. Above: Joe Borud created a small dust storm as he slid into home plate and beat the throw to the catcher.
The Cook County Vikings baseball teamstruggleditswaytoa2win season last year. The new year looked to start out tough. The champion of the conference the last four years, Moose Lake-Willow River, traveled to Grand Marais to kick off 2012. In fact, the last time the Rebels didn’t win the conference crown, it was the Cook County Vikings on top in 2007.
With a depleted roster, senior leader Dylan Quaife took to the mound, knowing he’d have to give a sterling performance to keep the game close. He provided more than that, pitching a complete game 6-hitter, striking out 7, and only allowing 2 runs.
The Viking defense was errorless behind him, especially strong up the middle with junior Colin Everson’s play at short and sophomore Joe Borud eating up grounders at second base. Both guys were playing out of normal position because of a foot injury to junior shortstop Kale Boomer. Boomer taped up his injured foot, though, and headed out to first, where he gave a gutsy performance and played well.
All that being said, the Vikings went into the bottom of the 7th inning trailing 3-2. Freshman Richie Furlong singled and advanced to second on a throwing error. Boomer flew to center but the ball landed in the grass when the outfielders had some miscommunication. With runners at 1st and 2nd, the Vikings put on a successful double steal. Eighth-grader Owen Anderson walked on a full count to load the bases with no outs. A passed ball was scooped up by the catcher and in a whirl of dust, Furlong was called out at home plate for the first out, Vikings still trailing 3-2.
Senior outfielder Hunter Farley fought off a tough 2-strike fastball and grounded out to first, but it scored Boomer to tie the game and advanced Anderson to 3rd base. After Quaife was intentionally walked, a wild pitch went behind the catcher and youngster Anderson got a great jump from third and scored the winning run. Anderson was mobbed at home plate and the Vikings kicked off their year 1-0.
The Vikings travel to Carlton on Thursday. The next home game at Arleigh Jorgenson field is Tuesday, April 17 at 4 p.m. against Cromwell. Come cheer on your Vikes!
Viking Scoreboard
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs | Hits | Errors | ||
| ML/ | WR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Cook | County0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Pitching
Dylan Quaife 7IP, 6H, 7K, 2BB, 97 Pitches ( W 1-0)
Batting
Quaife 2-3, 2 SB
Richie Furlong 2-3, RBI, SB
Hunter Farley game-tying RBI in bottom of the 7th
Owen Anderson game-winning run in 7th on wild pitch.
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