Fort Worth, TX - Needing to win one of two games to secure a playoff spot, the Vikings bounced back Friday night after losing the opening game of the two game series. Led by a dominant pitching performance from senior Nate Hall, the Vikings won game two, 5-1.
Hall limited the Mustangs to two hits, while striking out six in his complete game victory.
Senior Ben Sanchez was 2-3 at the plate including an RBI double, while fellow senior Devon Ashcraft scored twice.
“Nate was dominant tonight when we needed him the most,” head coach Joe Weik said.
The Vikings bounced back after falling 3-1 in game one of the series. The Vikings mounted a 7th inning rally but junior outfielder Santiago Perez was thrown out at the plate to end the game.
Sanchez turned in a solid pitching performance after working through a rough first inning. Sanchez struck out six over six innings of work, while not allowing an earned run. He also knocked in the lone Vikings run of the game with an RBI single.
With the game two win, coupled with an All Saints loss, the Vikings secured the final district one playoff spot.
“We are in the playoffs, which is always the goal of any season. I am proud of the boys for sticking together when times were tough. Hopefully we can get hot at the right time as they say,” coach Weik concluded.
The Vikings will open the playoffs at John Paul II, Thursday night, 7:30 pm in the area championship game.