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The North Branch baseball team took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first at Fridley Friday, May 18. However, they couldn't hold the lead as the Tigers went on to defeat the Vikings 5-3 in North Suburban Conference play.

"We got a great help in the first inning," said North Branch head coach Steve Chritensen. "Danny Ginal beat out a two-out infield single to prolong the inning for at least one more at-bat." Viking senior D.J. Charley took advantage of this opportunity, blasting a two-run homer over the left field fence to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead. "He knew it once it left the bat," Christensen added. The homer was Charley's second of the season.

Fridley stole the momentum from the Vikings in the bottom of the inning. A dropped fly ball contributed to the Fridley rally as the Tigers plated three to take a 3-2 lead.

The Vikings tied it in their half of the third when Justin Novak scored. But, that was the end of the NB scoring. The game was still tied when Fridley retook the lead with two in the sixth to make the final margin 5-3.

Charley was two for three and was the only Viking to have more than one hit as the Tigers limited NB to six hits. Tony Dahlberg pitched the complete game for the Vikings and took the loss. He gave up seven hits, four earned runs, two walks and struck out four.

"Our pitching and defense stayed solid for the most part, errors in key situations didn't help us out at all," Christensen said.

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