By Steve Morris

Add Tontio Grace to the ever growing wrath of the Vikings softball team.

The Vikings beat the Eagles on the road 4-1 April 25.

The conference win extends the Vikingís winning streak to six games and nourishes the teams confidence.

ìEveryone was sharp and their confidence in the field is growing every game,î head coach Larry Brodin said.

The Vikings gave up one run in the first inning but held the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Steph Saxe pitched the distance earning her third win of the season.

For the game, she struck out six, walked four and allowed one earned run.

Third baseman Danni Sonnenfeld went two for four at the plate with an RBI and a run.

ìRunning their win streak to six in a row has given them a lot of confidence. This was a huge conference win for the players,î Brodin said.

In some instances, confidence can get in the way of focus, which may have been the case when the girls nearly give up a six-run lead against St. Louis Park April 27.

The Vikings jumped ahead to a 6-0 lead in the first few innings.

However, the girls became unfocused. In the seventh inning, St. Louis Park had a rally, putting runners on second and third with one out.

But the Viking defense performed in the clutch to dodge the last inning threat.

ìWe started well but didnít maintain our intensity and concentration,î Brodin said. ìWe need to learn from that and avoid let ups.î

Sax was on the mound for her second consecutive game. She gave up nine hits while striking out six and walking one for her fourth win of the season.

Catcher Megan Ranger had a strong performance at the plate going three for four with two RBIís. Second baseman Maggie Johnson was two for four.