Whiting, Ind. – July 5, 2014 – Southland Vikings starting pitcher Tyler House, who came into the Saturday’s game with an 0-2 record and a 3.21 ERA, was looking to get his first victory of the season on Friday against the Oilmen.
He did just that as the Vikings topped Northwest Indiana 7-3.
The way the Vikings have been scoring runs lately (47 runs last four games), starting pitchers have received plenty of run support. The Vikings’ offense was not the story of the game Friday afternoon, it was Vikings starter House.
House retired the first 13 Oilmen he faced before second basemen Mike Munizzi made two errors on back-to-back plays. House still did not allow a hit until the fifth inning when the Oilmen scored on an RBI single by first basemen Anthony Colosimo. House was locked in from the start.
“I stayed focused all game, and stayed balanced all game,” House said. “My team scored runs for me and I went out there and pitched.”
House pitched seven innings, only allowing one run but was it was not earned, and two hits, along with six strikeouts. He picked up his first victory of the season with the Vikings scoring seven runs for him and the Vikings defeated the Oilmen by the score of 7-3 for their fifth straight victory.
“He threw all three pitches, and had great control all game.” Vikings manager Chris Cunningham said. “I would have had him pitch the whole game if we did not commit those two errors.”
House did his part and so did the red-hot Vikings offense all game. The Vikings wasted no time Friday afternoon scoring early and often. Designated hitter Bobby Sheppard continued his hot streak with an RBI double down the left-field line in the first inning. Chase Fieldhouse led off the second inning with a triple, and Alex Lugo had an RBI single.
The Vikings, who hit three home runs Tuesday night at Oil City Stadium, hit another again to start the top of the fourth inning by third basemen Stefano Belmonte.
Oilmen starter, Cameron Linck who came into the game with a 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA, suffered his first loss of the season but had a quality start, going seven innings allowing two earned runs and throwing seven strikeouts, after the Oilmen were only able to score one run for him while he was in the game.
The Oilmen were able to score in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Vikings got the run right back in the top of the ninth inning.
“We had timely hitting all game, and were able to get key hits when we needed them,” Cunningham said.
The Vikings improve to 13-8 in the MCL on the season and move into a tie for second place in the MCL. The Vikings look to stand alone in second place and the team comes back to Oil City Stadium Saturday night as the Vikings take on the Oilmen at 7:10 p.m.
