The North Branch Vikings were so close to their sixth win a row Monday night they could taste it. That is, until the seventh inning when Benilde-St. Margaret bombed a solo home run to end the Vikings five-game roll. On May 7, the Vikes lost to the Knights 1-0.

The Vikes had a hard time staying with the Knights pitching ace Ryan Meyers who stroke out 15 North Branch hitters. The Vikes managed only four base runners on two hits, one walk, and one hit batter. Ben Meemken and JT Lindholm had hits for the Vikes.

Ginal pitched the game going the distance striking out two.

NB vs. Robbinsdale Cooper

North Branch slammed six runs across the plate in the 4th inning on their way to a 12-2 win over the Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks May 2 on the road.

It was the team's fourth win in a row, and head coach Steve Christenson said his team now feels they can play with anyone.

"We're on a roll. It really is about confidence. We know we can play with anyone and score runs," he said.

Ginal had a MVP style day on the diamond. He started on the mound, going the distance while striking out four and giving up one earned run. At the plate, he was equally lethal, going three for four with three RBI's.

"Danny played well today," Christenson said. "He's been consistent all year."

Josh Olson also had a big night at the plate, going three for five with with three RBIs.

In all, the Vikings had 14 hits on the game.

Moving right along, the Vikings traveled north and played the Duluth Denfeld Hunters at Wade Stadium.

With a steady rain most of the game, the Vikings rolled past the Hunters in controlling fashion, taking the win 11-0.

It was an even game through four innings, but the Vikings opened the floodgates in the 5th inning and platted seven runs on three hits, four walks and two Denfeld errors.

Olson continued his streak at the plate and finished with three hits, including a double and four runs batted in.

Tony Dahlberg was on the mound for the Vikes. He went six innings, while striking out nine and giving up six hits for his second win of the season. Dahlberg had a strong defense behind him against the Hunters, which only had one error on the game, compared to four by Denfeld.

Christenson couldn't be happier with the way his team has been playing the last couple of weeks.

"It's nice to be on a streak the other direction," Christenson said. "We've been hitting well, and making the plays we need to make."

Comment from Elaine Ginal, 5/10/07

It would be fun to see more of the community come out and cheer on all of our athletes.