|
Viking baseball drops four in a row |
|
|
By Patrick Tepoorten
North Branch Viking baseball has had a rough go of it the last couple of weeks, dropping four straight games between April 28 and May 5. But the team has benefitted from some stellar individual performances along the way.
On the road against Fridley on April 28, the Vikings were down 3 - 0 after five innings, but a rally in the sixth and seventh innings brought the game back to square. An extra innings run from Fridley gave the home team a 4-3 win.
A bright spot for North Branch was the play of Eric Berggren, who went two-for-two at the plate and scored two runs. Dan Ginal went 2 - 4 at the plate, and had two RBIs as well. The team as a whole had a .310 average at the plate.
Pitcher Cole Willcoxen pitched a complete game, gave up 10 hits, only two walks, and served up 10 strikeouts.
The Vikings found themselves in a similar situation on the road against Chisago Lakes on April 29. Down 3 - 0 after five innings, this time the Vikings were only able to produce one run before game’s end.
Danny Schoess accounted for most of North Branch’s offensive production, going 2 - 4 at bat and scoring the Vikings only run. Berggren and Drew Lundquist were both 1 - 3 at the plate.
Tony Dahlberg had pitching duties and he completed the game, giving up five hits and no walks against 22 batters. He also had six strikeouts.
The trend of getting behind early continued at home against Robbinsdale Cooper on April 30. The Vikings suffered a two-run third inning and were only able to produce one run in the sixth inning. The final was 2-1 in favor of Robbinsdale.
Ginal pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and three walks, striking out seven.
On offense, Drew Lundquist had a good day, going 2 - 3 at the plate, with an RBI. Berggren had the Vikings only run. Schoess also went 2 - 4 at bat.
On May 5, the bottom fell out on the road against Benilde St. Margaret’s, and the Vikings suffered an 8 - 1 loss after falling behind 7 - 1 in the bottom of the third inning.
Willcoxen started on the mound for North Branch, but was pulled after 16 batters produced six hits, three walks, and seven runs. Matt Becklin finished the game, allowing five hits, no walks, and one run.
 |
