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North Branch 6, Chisago Lakes 2
Viking Sophie Smith drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and Kristi Pilz allowed just two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out nine to lead the Vikings to a 6-2 win over the Chisago Lakes Wildcats on Tuesday, May 14 at North Branch High School.  Wildcat pitcher Trinity Junker struck out 14 Vikings, but allowed nine hits and walked five.  One of the six runs allowed by Junker was unearned.

Macy Brodin singled to lead off the top of the first for the Vikings.  Emma Hurd reached on an error.  After Pilz struck out, Smith followed with a two-run double to put the Vikings up 2-0.  The Wildcats tied it up in the bottom of the fourth.  With one out, Kaitlyn Istvanovich and Alice Johnson singled.  One out later, Pilz walked Desi Spicer to load the bases.  Ashley Mendell followed with a two-run double to tie the game 2-2.

The Vikings got both runs back quickly in the top of the fifth.  Hurd, Pilz and Smith hit back-to-back-to-back doubles to push across two runs and make the score 4-2 in favor of the Vikings.  Mackenzie Richter walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth for the Vikings.  Ava Sittlow single to put runners on first and second.  A grounder by Brodin forced SIttlow at second and moved Richter to third.  Hurd singled and Pilz struck out.  Smith singled to load the bases.  Madison Helin was hit by a pitch to drive in the Vikings’ sixth run of the game.  Pilz held the Wildcats to just one baserunner over the final two innings, and the Vikings came away with a 6-2 win that evened the season series at one game apiece.

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