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After opening its season with a 2-1 victory over Hermantown, the North Branch baseball team suffered a 10-4 loss to St. Francis at North Branch Tuesday, April 11.

The Saints picked up two runs in the first inning and five more off Viking starter Tony Dahlberg in the second. Dahlberg pitched scoreless innings in the third and fourth before giving way to reliever Chris Becklin.

North Branch was held scoreless through three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, the Vikings broke into the scoring column with two runs. They matched that in the fifth to narrow the Saint Francis lead to 7-4.

Becklin held the Saints scoreless until the sixth, when they plated three runs to put the game out of reach. Greg Sederberg replaced Becklin and pitched a perfect seventh inning. However, the home team was unable to score again.

Dan Gray had two of the Vikings four hits. Dahlberg took the loss and starter Steve Harvey, who pitched the first three innings for the Saints, was the winner.

North Branch vs. Irondale

“Both teams came out ready to hit, today,” said North Branch head baseball coach Steve Christensen. He was referring to his team’s 16-4 win over Irondale Tuesday, April 18.

 The Vikings broke out to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. The Knights came right back in their half of the first and took a 4-3 lead.

“It was windy, and that made some things difficult for us in the first couple of innings. But we made the adjustments and communicated to each other more on defense,” Christensen added.

The Vikings picked up single runs in the second and third and brought home three runs in the fifth. Tony Dahlberg started the game on the hill for the Vikes and closed the door on the Irondale hitters after the first.

 “The game was close. Their pitcher was keeping them in the game and their defense was making the plays, until the sixth,” the skipper continued.

 With an 8-4 lead after five, the Vikings turned it into a blowout with eight runs in the sixth. Commenting on the sixth inning, when the Irondale infielders had trouble handling the ball, Christensen said, “You have to give their pitcher credit for getting those ground ball outs.  All of the eight runs scored were after two outs. We were hitting the ball hard, finding some gaps in the infield and outfield.  We made Irondale have to make the plays.”

Dahlberg got the complete game win for the Vikings to level his record at 1-1. “Tony had a high pitch count in the first, but he had some solid innings after that, relying on the defense behind him.  It was exciting to see him work for his first varsity win,” Christensen concluded.

Dan Gray went 3 for 5 with 4 runs and 4 RBI’s for the Vikings. Dominic Stahley had 2 hits , 3 runs and 2 RBI’s. Mark Johnson had 2 hits and drove two in and Marty Savage scored three times while Jeff Olson crossed the plate twice.

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