Chicago Heights, Ill. – August 2, 2022 – The old saying of it’s not how you start, but how you finish, didn’t apply for the Vikings Tuesday evening.
Behind a strong start on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, the Southland Vikings (26-16-2) defeated the Crestwood Panthers (16-24-1), 9-5 in a seven-inning contest.
Just like Monday against the Panthers, Southland struck first and did it early. After Daniel Barrios led off the game with a triple, Chris McDevitt would later come up and drive in Barrios with an RBI fielder’s choice. The Vikings would be able to score three more runs in the second inning, all behind the adage of good things happening when you put the ball in play.
After Jon Crowel was able to get aboard with one out and walks issued to both Nick Noles and Beau Polickey brought the bases loaded for Chris McDevitt. However, during the McDevitt at-bat, a wild pitch saw an advancement of all three baserunners allowing the Vikings to grab a two-run lead. A few pitches later, McDevitt hit a two-run single to left-center field. The pair of RBIs McDevitt collected were his second and third of the contest.
“I love this team,” McDevitt said. “I will do anything to win. I know my part for this team and I try to contribute every day and in every way.”
Southland would add on two more runs in the third inning after Max Malley scored on a wild pitch and a Nick Noles RBI double, scoring Nick Daugherty from second.
On the defensive side, the ‘Vikes were the recipients of a quality start from right-handed pitcher Colin Amsden. Amsden went five innings on the bump allowing just three runs, all of them coming in his fifth and final inning of work. Through those five frames, the righty yielded just four hits which were combated by his four strikeouts.
“I think everything was working today,” Amsden said. “I was able to just stay focused and throw strikes. I always got to give credit to the catcher. He was great.”
Southland was able to score three runs across the fifth and sixth inning to give them that nine-run mark.
The Vikings will look to make it three straight as they hit the road for a Wednesday night tilt with the Northwest Indiana Oilmen. The rivals will meet at 7:10 p.m. at Whiting’s Oil City Stadium. Fans will be able to watch on the Northwest Indiana Oilmen Broadcasting Network.
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This is Vikings Baseball.
Photo Credit: Isaiah Santiago
