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North Branch 7

Princeton 6 (9 innings)

Larry Schlagel's first game back as North Branch head baseball coach was one to remember all right.  Hosting Princeton last Thursday, the Vikings led 3-0 early before falling behind 6-5 late.  In the end, North Branch didn't quit, fighting back to tie the game in the seventh and winning it in the ninth, 7-6.

“For us to take the lead, fall behind and then battle back for the win in extra innings was a nice start for us,” said Schlagel, North Branch head baseball coach.  “We continued to battle and that was great to see.”

The Vikings jumped in front early, scoring three runs in the first inning.  After Marty Savage walked and Dominic Stahley reached on a single, Savage trotted home for the game's first run thanks to a Princeton balk.  Moments later, with runners on second and third, Dan Gray poked a single to left scoring Stahley and Chris Delaney, making the score 3-0 through one inning.

However, the lead would be short lived.  Leading 4-0 in the third, the Vikings hit a roadblock as Princeton exploded back, scoring five runs on four hits and two walks.  Two of the four hits included a double and triple, jumping the Tigers in front for the first time in the game.

The Tigers extended their lead to 6-4 in the fourth before the Vikings answered back with a run in the bottom half of the inning.  After Ed Meier reached on an error, Justin Novak and Savage both walked.  With the bases loaded, Matt Warren was hit by a pitch, forcing Meier in from third, cutting the Princeton lead to 6-5.

The game stayed 6-5 until the bottom of the seventh when North Branch fought back to tie.  Once again, Stahley came through in the clutch with an RBI double, scoring Savage from second base, tying the game 6-6.

Finally in the ninth, the Vikings finished it.  With runners at first and third, Princeton was called for a balk for the second time in the game, scoring the winning run from third base, giving North Branch a 7-6 win. 

It certainly wasn't pretty at times but a wins a win. Schlagel and his Vikings will take it. Stahley led North Branch at the plate, banging out three hits and driving in one.  He also pitched the ninth inning, picking up his first win of the season.  Delaney started the game for the Vikings.  Warren also saw time on the mound.

“Dominic came in and threw strikes.  He got us out of the ninth inning and we were able to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.  Dominic had a great game. Chris pitched well in the first two innings.  In the third, he started to get the ball up in the strike zone.  Princeton is a good hitting team and they started hitting the ball around the field.  We have confidence in Chris.  He will be ready to go on his next scheduled start,” remarked Schlagel.  “Matt Warren came in and after giving up one run in the fourth inning, he held Princeton scoreless.  Matt showed some savvy for us.  He got behind in the count to a few batters but he came back on them to get some crucial outs.  He did a great job.”

The win moved the Vikings record to 1-0 with Forest Lake up this week.

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