Last week the Viking Baseball team swept a double header from Carroll, got swept in a doubleheader against St. Norbert, and then came back last Sunday to split a doubleheader with the Green Knights. The Vikings are now 6-6 in the Northern Division of the MWC, and are in third place behind St. Norbert.The Vikings started the week off well with 13-9 and 11-10 victories over Carroll. Aaron Sorenson pitched the first game for his fourth victory of the year.
The game was marred by seven Viking errors in the field, accounting for four unearned runs for the Pioneers.
The Vikings hit well, though. Jeremy Tollefson went 2-4 with a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs for the game. Mike Hart also hit one out for the Vikings and made two other hits, going 3-4 with four RBIs.
In the second game, Anthony Kouba got the start and gave up six quick runs; however, none of them were earned, as the Vikings committed three more errors in game two. Kouba hung tough and got credit for his first win of the season. Andrew Wong pitched two innings of relief to pick up the save for the Vikings.
On the offensive side, Morgan Boltz had a big day. He went 3-5 with a home run. Tollefson pinch-hit in the eighth inning and hit a huge two-run single, which would score the eventual game-winning run.
The Vikings’ next doubleheader against St. Norbert wasn’t so good for the Vikings. The Vikings lost the first game 18-5 after giving up 10 runs in the fifth inning.
The Vikings’ defense killed their pitcher again as they committed six errors. B.J Chase took the loss, giving up nine runs in four innings, but only four of the runs were earned. Tollefson stayed hot going 2-4 with a home run, and Boltz did the same.
In the second game it wasn’t any better, and the Vikings lost 13-1. Justin Anthony gave up all 13 runs, all earned in the loss. The Vikings’ lone run came in the first inning after Boltz tripled and Chris McGinley singled him home. The Green Knights would score the next 13 runs and run away with the game.
The Vikings returned home to face the Green Knights after losing their 30th game in 31 tries against the Green Knights. However, in the first game they would find the magic again. The Vikings would pull out a 7-6 win after scoring one run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win.
Wong picked up his second win on the year after pitching to one batter and striking him out in the top of the seventh. Wong also had the game-winning hit, a single down the right field line after the Green Knights had intentionally walked the bases loaded.
In the second game, St. Norbert showed their bat strength again by putting up another 10 runs in the fourth inning and coasting to a 16-8 win. Kouba picked up his second loss on the year, giving up seven runs (all earned) in three and a third innings.
Boltz continued his hot streak, going 2-3 with two RBIs and a home run. Tollefson, McGinley, and Chris Stevo also hit homers for the Vikings.
The Vikings will finish the MWC season this weekend with a doubleheader at first place Ripon. First pitch will be 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.