Aurora, Ill. - July 26, 2020 - Sunday's matchup between the Southland Vikings (12-8) and DuPage County Hounds (13-5) was a battle for first place in the MCL standings. The Vikings one game behind the Hounds, were trying to stay in the race for first. The Vikings offense in their previous game exploded for 16 runs but it was the other way around. The Hounds scored 13 runs and defeated the Vikings 13-2 in seven innings.
The Hounds right off the bat started the bottom of the first with their explosive offense scoring five runs in the first inning taking a 5-0 lead after the first inning. The Hounds continued the offense in the second inning thanks to a grand slam resulting in six runs in total extending the lead to 11-0. The Hounds added runs in the third and fifth inning, each one run making the lead even larger at 13-0.
The Vikings loaded the bases in the sixth inning. A Jake Schroeder (Northern Illinois/Flossmoor, Ill.) hit by pitch and consecutive walks by Logan Anderson (South Suburban/Frankfort, Ill.) and Billy Curtis (North Central/Lockport, Ill.). Kellen Quigley (Webster/Bolingbrook, Ill.) singled to right field scoring Schroeder and that would be the only run the Vikings scored in the sixth inning cutting the deficit to 13-1.
Entering the seventh inning the Vikings needed three runs to avoid the 10 run-rule and continue the game. Nick McAlister (Southern Illinois/Homewood, Ill.) led the inning off with a walk. McAlister advanced to second base with a stolen base and to third on a fly out. Chris McDevitt (Indiana State/Chicago, Ill.) would drive in McAlister on a sacrifice fly making it 13-2 Hounds but the Vikings wouldn’t score any more runs and the game ended in seven innings due to the 10 run-rule as the Hounds were victorious 13-2.
“Today just wasn’t our day, plain and simple,” Vikings manager Rocco Mossuto said. “As a team we just need to have short-term memory and forget about this game. Come out tomorrow and be prepared and focus.”
The Vikings next game is Monday July 27, as they face the Joliet Generals. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., the game will take place at Dowling Park located in Hammond, Ind. The game will be broadcasted on the Southland Vikings Facebook page via Facebook Live. Will Trubshaw alongside Alex Coil will have the call for the game.
