Hammond, Ind – June 2, 2022 – The Vikings' performance Thursday night proves the parody within the Northern League.

After back-to-back wins on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Southland Vikings (3-4) fell to the Crestwood Panthers (4-3), a team the Vikings had defeated two days prior, by a score of 13-5 at Dowling Park. 

Unlike Tuesday’s performance against the Panthers, the Viking offense struggled to get going in the early innings. Scoring just one run on three hits through the first five innings of play, with the one run coming off a third-inning sacrifice fly from Jon Crowell, which scored Zach McKenna. 

The RBI for Crowell was his fourth of the season and it also marks the third time he’s driven in a run against the Panthers this season. 

“Once I get down in those counts, taking those pitches for the team and [I’m] looking to put something in play,” Crowell said. “[I’m] not trying to take as big of a hack and just looking to get the guy in or get the guy over.” 

Despite Crowell’s ability to continue to produce against the Panthers, the pitching staff struggled with their command throughout the contest. The three arms the Vikings sent to the mound on Thursday handed out 11 free passes, which surpasses the previous season-high of 10 free trips to first base. 

Not walking or hitting batters has been a consistent message that Rocco Mossuto has had for his entire pitching staff through the first seven games of the season. He re-emphasized that message following the game stating you can’t expect to win ball games when you walk hitters. 

The Vikings will look to regroup on Friday as they travel to Ed Glancy Field in Chicago for their second matchup in three days with the Chicago American Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be aired on Facebook Live and the Viking Radio Network with Cavan Malayter on the call.