Vikes Win 7-2 Over Compton
The Vikings took on the Compton College Tartars on Thursday night at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, CA.
The Vikes took a different approach looking to snap a four game slide, and did just that with committee pitching performance that saw nine different pitchers, errorless defense and timely hitting.
Freshman Joey Vera got the start for the Vikings on the mound and threw a scoreless first inning striking out 2 and getting a fly ball for the third out.
In the top of the 2nd, the Vikes came out swinging. Alec Oorin led off the inning with a double to center. Ace Felise then single to right scoring Oorin for the Vikes first run. Kagen Kennedy drew a walk, putting runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs. Alex Pena then singled on a bunt that loaded up the bases with no outs. Ryan Hoskins was hit by the pitch the next at bat, bringing home Felise. Matt Keysaw then reached on a fielder's choice to 3rd that brought home Kennedy. The Vikes scored 3 runs on 3 hits.
Sophomore Takoda Chaney was the next to get the ball in the bottom of the second. Chaney threw an efficient inning that saw one run come across. The Vikes leading 3-1 going into the 3rd.
The Vikes offense continued to stack good at bats in the top of the 3rd scoring 2 runs. Alec Oorin was hit by the pitch and the stole 2nd. Ace Felise then moved Orin to 3rd on a deep fly ball to center. Kagen Kennedy came up with a big 2 out triple that brought home Oorin. Alex Pena then singled to bring home Kennedy to take the lead 5-1.
The next three innings was dominated by the Vikings pitching. Dominic Opipari threw the 3rd inning going 1-2-3 with a double play. Dalton Dillard threw the 4th also going 1-2-3 on a ground out and two fly outs. Sophomore Bryce Hodges toed the rubber for the 5th. Hodges also went 1-2-3 with two ground outs and 1 strikeout. Hodges being the pitcher of record after the 5th earned his first college win.
The Vikings scored one run in the top of the 6th after Matt Keysaw singled and then stole 2nd. Sam Smith the singled to center moving Keysaw to 3rd. Gredan Velasquez drove in Keysaw on a sac fly to left.
Pablo Montante threw an efficient 6th giving up only 1 run on 2 hits, while also getting two ground balls and a fly out.
Pitching dominated the last three innings for the Vikings. Freshman Devon Neff threw a scoreless 7th on two ground ball outs and a fly out. Jason McCall threw the 8th and went 1-2-3 with a ground ball, pick off and 1 strikeout. The Vikings scored one more in the top of the 9th after Jack McLaughlin reached base on a leadoff walk and came around to score on a couple wild pitches. Gredan Velasquez closed out the game in the 9th with on ground ball out and two strikeouts.
'This was a big game for us. We needed a big team win, and we got just that. The pitchers did a great job all going out and throwing up zeros and the offense started to get some more timely hitting and kept the pressure on the other team all night. This was the win we needed and how we did it as a family and everyone doing their part was special." – Coach Walker
The Vikings are back in action at home on Tuesday February 18th as they host Antelope Valley College at 1:00 at Dale Fries Field.