Vikes Get 1st Win Of The Season

The Vikings baseball team came into Tuesday's game against #18 Taft College looking for their first win of the new season. After a hard faught weekend in a three game series against #3 Ohlone College that saw the Vikes compete well and unfortunately come up short losing one game in extra innings to the Renegades, the team was hungry for the first win.

The Vikes came out ready to go, scoring one run in the top of the first when Ace Felise hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Austin Cullor. The Taft pitching staff blanked the Viking offense in innings two through six, but strating pitcher Cole Doebele lead the charge hurling 5 innings, while allowing only 3 hits, 1 unearned run, and striking out 5. "Cole gave us the start on the mound we have been looking for. He was locked in, executed pitches and kept the opposing hitters off balance. He did a great job," said Pitching Caoch Austin Crank after the game.

The Vikings bullpen carried the team the rest of the way with Dominic Opipari throwing 1 inning, followed by Devon Neff throwing 2 shutout innings and earning his first college win. 

The offense scrapped and put pressure on the Cougars all game, but was able to even the score at 2-2 in the 7th when Ryan Hoskins scored on a 2 out single by Jackson Folkman. The Vikes took the lead in the top of the 9th when Robert Valdivia singled to right bringing home Jackson Folkman to score and take the lead 3-2. Gredan Velasquez picked up the save in the bottom of the 9th while striking out 2.

"This was a great team win. Everybody did their part, stay together and competed. This team has shown a lot of fight and we are excited to keep moving forward." - Coach Walker

The Vikes are back in action at home on Saturday, Febrauary 1st hosting Porteverville college for a double header with the first game starting at 11:00 am.