May 10, 2007 at 8:50 a.m.
After slow start, Viking baseball wins five games in a row
After slow start, Viking baseball wins five games in a row
North Branch ran into trouble in the third, allowing six runs on four hits, two walks, two errors and a hit batsman. St. Francis added a single run in the fourth, for a 7-0 advantage. "You can't give any team free bases or free outs. It's tough to dig yourself out of those holes," said Christensen.
The Vikings picked up a single run in the fourth on a double by Tony Dahlberg and an RBI single by Sam Johnson. In the fifth, Cole Willcoxen's lead-off walk was followed by a Danny Ginal single and a two-run single by D.J. Charley. That made the score 7-3 after five.
After St. Francis scored its eighth run in the top of the sixth, the Vikings scored the final run of the game. Mark Johnson's sacrifice fly scored Jeff Olson to make the final 8-4.
Dahlberg started and took the loss for the Vikings. Charley was the hitting star for the Vikes, collecting half of the NB hits by going 3 for 4.
NB at Spring Lake Park
Thursday, April 26
The Vikings took an early 3-0 lead at Park, but were unable to hang on as they were beaten 8-6 by the Panthers.
In the first, Mark Johnson got on base when he was hit by a pitch. Danny Ginal doubled him home. Viking starter Kirk Dahle set the Panthers down in order in the bottom of the inning and NB led 1-0 after one.
In the second, a lead-off single by Jeff Olson was followed by a single by JT Lindholm and a walk to Ben Meemken. Olson scored on a wild pitch and Lindholm scored on an RBI groundout by Greg Sederberg. The Vikings led 3-0
SLP scored two in the bottom of the second on two hits and three Viking errors. It could have been worse except for the alert play of Viking catcher JT Lindholm, who picked off a Panther runner at third base.
North Branch took a 4-2 lead in the third when Tony Dahlberg, on base with a double, scored on an error. However, the Panthers put two on the board in the fourth and four more in the sixth to move to an 8-4 lead. The Vikings scored two in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't enough and the Panthers recorded an 8-6 win.
Big Lake Invitational
Saturday, April 28
At Big Lake, the Vikings notched their first two victories by winning two one-run games over Big Lake and Paynesville.
North Branch 2, Big Lake 1
"Danny (Ginal) pitched a great game. He had excellent command of his pitches and the defense played well behind him," said coach Christensen. "Both teams had some defensive lapses, and that proved to be the difference in the game."
Jeff Olson, on base courtesy of a Big Lake throwing error, scored on a passed ball in the third to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. NB got the winning run in the fourth. Justin Novak led off with a single and scored when Drew Lundquist's sharply hit ground ball got past the Big Lake first baseman.
Big Lake scored its only run an inning later when the Vikings committed three errors. "We made most of the plays, enough to secure the win," Christensen added.
North Branch 4, Paynesville 3
As he had in the Big Lake game, Justin Novak scored the Vikings' first run. The senior shortstop led off the first with a single and scored on a sharp grounder off the bat of Danny Ginal that was misplayed by the shortstop. D.J. Charley added a single in the inning, but was left stranded.
A lead-off error and three hits led to three Paynesville runs in the fifth. Down 3-1 in the sixth, Mark Johnson gave the Vikings life with a double. Two quick outs later, senior catcher J.T. Lindholm took the plate as a pinch hitter. "J.T. hit the ball right between the legs of the second basemen. We were looking for a hit to score Mark, but any way to score him will do," coach Christensen said. When Johnson scored, the Vikings trailed 3-2. They forced extra innings by scoring the tying run in the bottom of the seventh.
Meanwhile, Tony Dahlberg's arm kept Paynesville off the scoreboard. "Except for the fifth, Dahlberg held Paynesville in check. This was his best performance as a pitcher this season," the coach commented.
With the score 3-3 after 7 innings, Dahlberg went to the mound for the top of the eighth. Pitching through the meat of the Paynesville order, Dahlberg surrendered two hits but recorded three outs before Paynesville did any damage. The last out of the inning came on a base hit to left field. Paynesville tested Viking leftfielder Mark Johnson's arm.
"Mark did a great job, fielding and throwing the ball to Sam Johnson at catcher. It's what you practice each time in infield/outfield. A perfect throw led to a great tag," Christensen said.
The game appeared to be headed for a second extra inning when Drew Lundquist came to the plate with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the eighth. But, Lundquist continued the inning with a base hit. A walk by Sam Johnson moved Lundquist into scoring position. Ben Meemken stepped to the plate and laced a base hit into left field. Lundquist scored. Game over!
"Meemken found that hole between the shortstop and third basemen and Drew's legs got us the winning run," Christensen said.
By taking their first wins of the season, the Vikings took first place in the Big Lake Invitational.
Fridley at North Branch
Monday, May 30
The Vikings ran their winning streak to three by beating conference foe Fridley 8-5 Monday, April 30 at North Branch.
Fridley got out the blocks with two runs off of Viking starter Cole Willcoxen in each of the first two innings. North Branch battled back with one in the bottom of the second. D.J. Charley led off with a triple and scored on Drew Lundquist's ground out.
Willcoxen then kept the Fridley bats in check through the fourth, keeping the score at 4-1.
A combination of North Branch hits and Fridley miscues led to four runs in the Viking half of the fourth, putting the Vikings ahead 5-4 and Willcoxen in line for the win. J.T. Lindholm singled home one runner, and back-to-back doubles by Ben Meemken and Justin Novak accounted for the other runs as the Vikings took a 5-4 lead.
In the fifth, Chris Becklin took over on the hill for the home team. "Becklin is one of those pitchers that will give you everything he has, all the time. He's a great competitor and a wonderful teammate," said coach Christensen. "His arm was alive today, he threw really well." In Becklin's three innings, he surrendered only one run on two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.
Tony Dahlberg and Danny Ginal led off the fifth with singles. D.J. Charley provided the rest of the Viking scoring with one swing. "He crushed it, plain and simple. He was smiling from ear to ear. He works hard, and he was happy it paid off today," Christensen continued.
Charley parked the team's first varsity homerun in two years over the left field wall for a three-run homer that proved to be the difference in the game.
NB 12, Robbinsdale-Cooper 2
The Vikings made it four in a row by beating the Hawks at Cooper Wednesday, May 2. Viking starter Danny Ginal scattered seven hits and went the distance to even his record at 2-2.
NB took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and never trailed to win its second conference game of 2007. Justin Novak was hit by the first pitch of the game. He stole second and scored on Ginal's double for the Vikings' first run. Courtesy runner Kirk Dahle scored on DJ Charley's base hit to put NB up 2-0.
The Hawks put a single run on the board in the bottom of the first before the Vikings matched it in the top of the second. JT Lindholm led off with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Another catcher miscue allowed Lindholm to take third. Courtesy runner Sam Johnson was caught between third and home on a comebacker to the pitcher. But, later in the inning, with Ben Meemken on third, the Hawk pitcher was called for a balk. Meemken scored and the Vikings were up 3-1.
Cooper made it 3-2 in its half of the second. Neither team scored in the third.
In the top of the fourth, the Vikings sent nine batters to the plate. Five North Branch hits and a Cooper error resulted in a handful of Viking runs and an 8-3 lead.
Ginal aided his own cause by doubling in Jeff Olson in the sixth to make it 9-3. "Danny played well today, pitching, hitting and defense. He's been consistent all season," coach Christensen said.
The Vikings tacked on three more in the top the seventh, making the score 12-3 and ending any hopes the Hawks had for a comeback.
Ginal went 3 for 4 at the plate with three RBI's. Olson also had 3 RBI's and 3 hits. Meemken, Lindholm and Charley each collected two hits for the Vikes.
"We're on a roll," Christensen added. "It really is about confidence. We know we can play with anyone, and score runs. We've had great pitching performances in each of our victories and made the plays in the field that we need to make."
NB 11, Duluth Denfeld 0
The Vikings extended the winning streak to five with an 11-0 shellacking of Duluth Denfeld at Wade Stadium Friday May 4.
"We were prepared for some poor weather. We were rained on for most of the game," said second-year Viking coach Steve Christensen. "Denfeld pitchers had trouble throwing strikes. They issued five walks and hit two batsmen. They were down in the count a lot, which made it easier for us to wait for our pitch."
The game was close through four innings. In the second, Justin Novak was hit by a pitch, Jeff Olson singled and Danny Ginal reached on a fielder's choice that didn't produce an out. With the bases loaded and one out, Tony Dahlberg singled to score two.
The flood gates opened in the fifth. The Vikings scored seven runs on three hits, four walks and two Denfeld errors. All seven runs were scored after the Vikings were down to their final out.
The Vikings capped off the night with two more in the seventh. "Cole Willcoxen singled exactly up the middle, hitting the ball off of second base. Matt Bajor was hit by a pitch, Olson doubled in Willcoxen and Kirk Dahle singled Olson in.
"The weather didn't seem to affect much of our play. We threw strikes, made plays, and were patient at the plate. It's nice to be on a streak the other direction. After starting 0-7, we've been hitting well and making the plays we need to make," the coach added.
Comments:
Commenting has been disabled for this item.