Above: Jack Wieben got a little bit ahead of this pitch, but he did get a single in the Vikings’ win against the Moose Lake/Willow River Rebels. Right: Andrew Lashinski pitched a great game against the Rebels, giving up one earned run while going the distance in a dominating win for the Vikings.
By the time the Viking bats woke up it was too late to mount a comeback against the Ely Timberwolves in a game played at Ely on Saturday, May 7.
The Vikings gave up 14 runs to the Ely Timberwolves in the first two innings and then fought nearly all of them back only to lose 14-13.
Frankie Miller started on the mound for the Vikings and gave up 3 earned runs and two unearned runs in the first inning. Meanwhile the Vikings scored one run of their own to fall behind 5-1.
“Frankie had been sick but thought he was feeling well enough to play,” said Head Coach Arleigh Jorgenson.
Leo Johnson replaced Miller to start the second inning and nine runs crossed the plate. “I don’t think Leo was well enough rested after the last game he pitched where he was really sharp,” said Jorgenson. “He told me he felt good, but I think his arm was tired.”
Rory Bakke relieved Johnson late in the inning and closed out the Timberwolves the rest of the way in a dominant relief performance.
“Rory came in and just shut down Ely. He really gave us a big lift. Meanwhile we started to gain some confidence,” Jorgenson said.
The Vikings tacked on one run of their own in the bottom of the second to make the score 14-2.
Neither team scored in the third but the Vikings put four runs across the plate in the fourth, added three more in the fifth and four more in a wild seventh inning.
“With two out we had the bases loaded and were down one run,” said Jorgenson. “Jake Bilben was up again in the inning and he struck out to end the game. Even though we didn’t win we felt like this game was a turning point for our team. We fought back, played loose and had fun. It was a frustrating loss but we came away with confidence because of our comeback.”
At the plate Frankie Miller was 2-4 with two RBIs, Bakke was 1-5 with two RBIs and Jaret Baker was 2-4 and scored one run. Owen Anderson walked twice and flied out but he pushed in one run and scored twice. Andrew Miller, Andrew Lashinski, and Johnson also got one hit each.
Vikings beat Silver Bay 9-5
On Monday, May 9, the Vikings traveled to Silver Bay to face the Mariners and came away with a victory in a hard fought game.
The Vikings scored two runs in the first, one in the second and gave up two runs to the Mariners in the fifth inning to lead 3-2 going into a high scoring sixth inning.
During that inning the Vikings scored six runs and the Mariners three runs.
Neither team scored in the seventh inning and the Vikings took the win.
Frankie Miller got the win for the Vikings on the mound. Miller pitched five strong innings giving up three hits, striking out four and walking three in his time on the hill. Ethan Sporn pitched the sixth inning for the Vikings, striking out one, walking three and giving up one hit in an inning that saw the Mariners push three runners across the plate, two of them unearned runs.
Andrew “Mini” Miller came in for the seventh inning and struck out three Mariners on 10 pitches to close out the game.
“Andrew is turning into our not-so-secret, secret weapon,” said Jorgenson of his young closer.
Johnson was 3-4 from the plate with two singles and a double and one RBI. Colton Furlong was also 3-4 with three singles and one RBI. Lashinski ended his night 2-4 from the plate with two singles and one RBI. Frankie Miller was 1-4 with a double and a RBI and Bakke was 1-5 with a single in 10-hit performance for the Vikings.
“We only had two errors against Silver Bay. The kids are really starting to sharpen up their play,” Coach Jorgenson said.
Vikings win 11-1 over Moose Lake/Willow River
Lashinski gave up three hits and one earned run in a strong five-inning performance from the mound for the Vikings in their 11-1 defeat of Moose Lake/Willow River. Rex Janke took the loss for the Rebels.
The game was played at home on Tuesday, May 10 and ended after five innings because of the 10-run rule.
Owen Anderson was 3-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Frankie Miller was 2-4 with four RBIs. Johnson was 2-3 with one RBI, Bakke 1-3 with one RBI, Jack Wieben was 1-3 (his long single hit the top of the fence) with one RBI, and Baker had a RBI on a sacrifice.
“The kids only had one error against Moose Lake/Willow River,” said Coach Jorgenson. “Andrew Lashinski had an outstanding pitching performance for us. That’s important to the team, as we get ready for the playoffs. With Frankie [Miller] starting to hit his stride, and two strong pitching performances by Leo Johnson and Rory Bakke, we are feeling really good about our pitching.”
The team’s record is now 7-4.
On Saturday, May 21 the baseball team will conduct a clinic for Little League and Parent Pitch players at the high school at 10 a.m. “Rain or shine we will be there,” said Coach Jorgenson. “This is a way to create some excitement for the program and help the younger kids develop a love of the game.”
The Vikings play at home Friday, May 20 against Mesabi East and on May 23, they face Two Harbors and on the 24th they face Wrenshall. Games typically start at 4:30 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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