By Steve Morris

The Minnesota twins and the North Branch baseball team have one thing in common; they are both struggling to win games. Thankfully, for the North Branch school boardís sake, the two teams donít have the same payroll.

Last week, the Vikings dropped two games and are in a five game losing slump.

ìWe havenít had too many games that we havenít been close,î head coach Steve Christenson said. ìMy hope is to turn the corner and to start winning these close ones.î

On April 25, the Vikings lost to the Wildcats 16-7.

In the loss the Vikings went deep into their pitching rotation, using four pitchers to get through the game. Dominic Stahley, Chris Becklin, Matt Warren and Jeff Olson all saw time on the mound.

Down by four heading into the seventh the Viking defense collapsed and let in five runs, putting the game out of reach for the Vikings.

ìWe have Chisago Lakes this week at night,î Christenson said. ìThat game will have a playoff feel ... we both feel we can win.î

The Vikings had seven hits on the night. Tony Dahlberg went two for three at the plate with a double. Matt Warren also doubled in the game.

The Vikings took the loss and headed to St. Francis April 27. The fighting saints won 3-7. Dahlberg was the losing pitcher of the night. He gave up 10 hits, seven strike outs, a walk and six earned runs.

St. Francis jumped out to early 3-0 and the Vikings were unable to recover fully. North Branch managed to put three runs on the board in the fifth inning but went cold after that.

ìWe played two teams that didnít quitî Christenson said. ìWhen we got close, like good teams, they shut us down and extended their leads.î

Warren went two for three at the plate and batted in a run. Kyle Kaminsi also went two for three with a run scored.

Kevin Daudt was the winning pitcher for St. Francis.