Hammond, Ind. - June 14, 2021 - The Southland Vikings (4-7) coming off a loss Friday, tried to bounce back on Monday against their rival the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (5-4). What seemed to be a pitchers duel the first three innings, it was all Oilmen after that as the Vikings fell 7-2.
Clayton Bumsted (St. Xavier / Palos Heights, Ill.) started for the Vikings and dealt through the first three innings. Giving up no runs and keeping the game tied at zero. Bumsted found trouble in the fourth inning, as the Oilmen scored six runs in the innings to take an early 6-0 lead.
The Vikings failed to get much going on offense as the impressive pitching by the Oilmen kept the Vikings scoreless through six. The Oilmen added one more run in the seventh inning from back to back singles extending their lead 7-0.
Zach Costello (St. Xavier / Seneca, Ill.) came in for relief in the fifth inning, impressing on the mound. Costello threw five innings, four hits, one run, and six strikeouts.
Entering the ninth down by seven, the Vikings were able to string a couple of hits and break the shutout. Lead-off single from Jon Crowel (Flagler / Highland, Ind.) and a line drive single from Bryant Diel (Northwestern Ohio / South Elgin, Ill.) put the Vikings in business. Ethan Imlach (Purdue Northwest / Mokena, Ill.) ripped a single to right field, scoring Crowel, breaking the shut out, 7-1. Shawn Rigsby (St. Ambrose / Myrtle Creek, Ore.) grounded out to second base but advanced Diel home, plating one more run in the inning, 7-2. That would be all from the Vikings as they’d lose their second straight and fall to the Oilmen 7-2.
“Tough one today but guys got reps out there today, and that’s something good to look at,” Vikings Manager Rocco Mossuto. “We also got Crowel and Chris McDevitt (Indiana State / Chicago, Ill.) for their first games so that was a positive as well.”
The Vikings next game is Wednesday, June 16 again the Joliet Generals. First pitch is slated for 5:05 p.m. and 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. Jack Theil and Kevin Redfern will have the call for the game.
