Vikings Sweep Desert

Some teams bring out the best in each other and some trilogies must be decided on the final play.  Thus was the case in 2016 for the Barstow Vikings and College of the Desert Roadrunners.  It took 3 games and 23 innings to declare a series winner and in the end it was the Vikings that came out victorious.  On Wednesday March 9th the Vikings relinquished a four run lead and allowed the Roadrunners the opportunity to come from behind and win game 1 in extra innings. The Vikings traveled to Palm Desert on Friday April 15th down one game in the series and needing both wins to take 2nd place and remain in the play-off hunt.  In game 1 - pitcher Amelia McCaffrey doubled to left field with the bases loaded sending all three runners home.  Marissa Dado - Alicia Klaudt - Alexis York all scored on the play.  Amelia McCaffrey scored the fourth run of the inning when the very next batter Catalina Smith from Las Vegas doubled and recorded the RBI.  Amelia McCaffrey pitched a complete 7 inning game and the Vikings won the game 6-3.

 http://www.barstowvikings.com/sports/sball/2015-16/boxscores/20160415_vr8d.xml

With the series tied at one game a piece the two teams took the field for the 3rd and deciding game - the game was a battle from the opening bell and both teams showed a great deal of dedication, fight and toughness as they ventured into the late innings with exposed dug-outs and a hot 90 degree sun bearing down.  Desert showed their grit and determination when they immediately scored 3 runs in the 1st inning.  Barstow trailed the entire game and began to turn the momentum of the game to their favor in the top of the 5th when Jazmine Landis scored all the way from 1st base on a Clorissa Estrada triple.  The Estrada RBI pulled the Vikings within one run and the game sat at 5-4 in favor of Desert going into the 7th inning.  Freshman Nicole Vega hit a sacrifice RBI to 2nd base in the top of the 7th inning scoring Amelia McCaffrey and bringing the game to a tie in the 7th inning.  The Vikings held strong in the bottom half and forced yet another extra inning.  In the top of the 8th inning with 2 outs - Amelia McCaffrey hit a screaming ground ball through the 5-6 hole scoring Barstow High School Alum Marissa Dado for the go ahead run.  In the bottom half of the 8th inning - Barstow High School Alum Alexis York made a diving catch in right field with runners on 2nd and 3rd base with 2 outs saving the game for the Vikings.  Amelia McCaffrey pitched all 15 innings and recorded 2 complete game victories. Vikings win in extra innings and take the series.  The series required 23 innings to complete and in the end the Vikings win 2 of 3 with a final score of 18- 15.

http://www.barstowvikings.com/sports/sball/2015-16/boxscores/20160415_0mjf.xml