Hammond, Ind. – May 30, 2022.

The Southland Vikings (1-3) fell 14-2 at the hands of the Joliet Generals (2-1) Monday evening at Dowling Park. The 12-run loss meant the Vikings were run-ruled for the first time in 2022. 

“Tough day for the boys,” said Vikings general manager and interim field manager Rocco Mossuto. “But, we’ll be back and ready tomorrow.” 

The Generals had 17 hits in Monday’s meeting, which included a 7th inning where Joliet scored six times and sent 11 hitters to the plate. That 7th inning was a stark contrast to how the game started for the Vikings. 

After Kyle Fenner led off the bottom of the first with a hit-by-pitch and then stole his third base of the season, Chris McDevitt knocked him in with an RBI double to the right-center field gap.

That double would be the first of four trips on base for McDevitt in the contest, which includes a walk and a hit-by-pitch. 

“I have a really stubborn box,” said McDevitt. “If I don’t get what I want to swing at then I don’t swing. I just go in there [to the batter’s box] and look for one pitch.” 

The second run for the Vikings would come in their half of the second inning, as Blaze Cano led off the inning with a single, followed by a steal of second base. Cano would later score after a two-out RBI single by Kyle Fenner. 

From that point, the Vikings would be held to just three hits and were not able to score. 

The Vikings will look to get back in the win column Tuesday evening, as they’ll be the visiting team in a game at Dowling Park against the Crestwood Panthers. The game is set for 5 p.m. and will be aired on Facebook Live.