Hammond, Ind. - June 21, 2021 - The Southland Vikings (5-11) trying to build off their big win on Sunday and string their first consecutive wins of the season. They visited the first place Joliet Generals (9-3) on Monday. A back and forth battle between the two teams, the Vikings close but fell to the Generals 5-4.
The Generals started the first inning off with one run of their own off an RBI double, jumping to an early 1-0 lead.
The Vikings came right back in the second inning, Consecutive singles from Cy Kerber (Morton College / Elgin, Ill.) and Shawn Rigsby (St. Ambrose / Myrtle Creek, Ore.). Ethan Imlach (Purdue Northwest / Mokena, Ill.) lined an RBI single over the second baseman's head scoring Kerber, tying the game at 1-1.
In the fourth, the Generals scored two runs due to two errors and a double, to retake the lead at 3-1.
The Vikings, like in the second inning, came back with their own runs in the fifth inning. Lead-off walk from Kyel Alexander (St. Ambrose / Burbank, Ill.). Alexander stole second and third base, setting up a sac-fly to right field from Logan Anderson (South Suburban / Frankfort, Ill.), 3-2. A two out single from Patrick Doran (North Carolina Central / Evergreen Park, Ill.) and a walk from Kerber, kept the inning alive. Rigsby grounded to the second baseman, due to the errant throw to first, Doran scored to tie the game at 3-3 and Kerber was thrown out advancing home.
Jake Paymaster (Triton / New Lenox, Ill.) started for the Vikings, his first start since his complete game shutout against the Generals. Paymaster threw five innings, three hits, one earned run, and five strikeouts, allowing the Vikings to stay in the game.
Blows by both teams, as the Generals had the biggest one in the seventh inning. Lead-off triple, multiple walks, and a single, plated two runs for the Generals to take a late 5-3 lead.
The Vikings did not go away in the eighth inning, Luke Sefcik (Central Michigan / Palos Heights, Ill.) with a lead-off double to right field. Sefcik stole third, as Joe Selby (Triton / Romeoville, Ill.) popped a sac-fly into right field scoring Sefcik, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
Entering the ninth the Vikings with three outs to work with to tie or take the lead. Lead-off single from Darrius Little (Morton College / Chicago, Ill.) set the tone for the Vikings. Little stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jason Krol (Lewis / Chicago, Ill.) grounded a ball to first base with the infield in, Little advanced home on contact and was thrown out at the plate on a close play. The Vikings wouldn’t be able to put anything together after the play at home and fell to the Generals 5-4.
“Tough one tonight, we need to clean things up on the field because that’s what cost us,” Vikings Manager Rocco Mossuto said. “You make errors and that gives the other team extra bases but the guys played a close game. Sefcik swung a nice bat with three hits, which is good to see.”
The Vikings next game is Wednesday, June 23 against the Chicago American Giants. First pitch is slated for 5:05 p.m. and played at Dowling Park, located in Hammond, Ind. The game will be available on the Southland Vikings Facebook Page via Facebook Live. Jack Theil will have the call for the game.
