The Southland Vikings, who trailed the first place DuPage County Hounds in the Midwest Collegiate League by a half game coming into the game against the Northwest Indiana Oilmen, have taken over first place.
The Vikings captured the season series and the top spot in the league standings with a 7-1 victory over the Oilmen.
“The team played well today and had clutch hits,” Vikings manager Chris Cunningham said. “We have a long way to go, and anything can happen in this league.”
Brandon White, who pitched against the Oilmen twice this season, pitched well on Wednesday.
“White pounded the zone and his breaking ball looked better,” Cunningham said. “He found his spots and pitched more to contact tonight.”
White ended up winning his fourth game of the year, going six innings and allowing only one run with four hits allowed and recording four strikeouts.
“Attacking the hitters more and keeping the ball down on the hitters,” White said. “I decided to pitch to contact more.”
MCL’s best offense, the Vikings, struck early off Oilmen starter Jimmy McNamara in the first inning after three bloop singles and a sacrifice fly by centerfielder Chase Fieldhouse. Offense struck again in the third inning after three straight singles and RBI singles by Jeff Boehm and Stefano Belmante to put the Vikings ahead 3-0.
The Oilmen struck off White in the fourth inning with a single by designated hitter James Meeker to cut the lead to 3-1. Belmante would add his second RBI and second hit of the night with a double to make the lead 4-1. McNamara lasted five innings for the Oilmen as he allowed four runs and took the loss.
The Vikings were able to capitalize off three Oilmen errors and scored three runs in the sixth inning to go ahead 7-1. Mike Poulos came in for relief in the seventh, eighth inning and ninth inning and able to keep the Vikings ahead by six runs and the score of 7-1 and finish out the game with a three-inning save.
The Vikings now have a 24-11 record and are up a ½ game ahead of the Hounds for first place. They come home tomorrow night to Homewood-Floosmoor High School as the team has a double-header against the Lexington Snipes.
