Whiting, Ind. – July 12, 2022 – Sometimes your most bitter rivals can eventually become your closest friends.
For one night, that was the case for the Southland Vikings as they enjoyed their time as members of the East All-Star Team alongside players from the first-place Lake County Corn Dogs, and their biggest rivals, the Northwest Indiana Oilmen. Together, the three sides were able to defeat the West All-Star Team by a score of 5-4 in 10 innings.
“We all competed pretty well because we're all wanting to win no matter what,” Vikings pitcher Nolan Vlcek said. “It was just super fun seeing everyone come together, even though we talk trash to each other during the games, but we all want to come together and beat these guys and it just showed that we all really want to win.”
Vlcek had the highlight of the day for any Vikings player on the East All-Star team. Vlcek pitched the fifth inning for his squad, striking out the first two batters he faced before issuing his lone walk of the outing. He was able to induce a groundout to end his one stint on the mound.
Max Everaert would replace Vlcek in the sixth inning, and while he allowed one run in his one inning of work, the East All-Star team still had a chance to compete and eventually win the ballgame.
On the offensive side of the ball for the ‘Vikes, the three position players for Southland who were selected to the team got to start. Despite Chris McDevitt, Jason Krol, and Kyle Fenner not recording a hit, the trio of Vikings enjoyed their time on the team, especially outfielder Kyle Fenner.
“It was awesome,” Fenner said. “It was a fun time, I came in with a bunch of fun teammates and I met a bunch of good guys and these guys here were a blast. We were all gelling pretty early and just having a good time.”
Now that the fun times in Whiting have come to a close, the Vikings will now set their focus on a postseason push. The push begins on Wednesday as they’ll travel to Carol Stream, Illinois, for a day-night doubleheader with the Joliet Generals. Game one of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. with the second game starting approximately 30 minutes after the first game’s conclusion. Both games will be available to watch on the Joliet Generals Facebook Live Page.
