Highland, Ind. – June 3, 2023 – The Southland Vikings and Indiana Panthers completed their previously suspended game from May 30 on Saturday, followed by their regularly scheduled game.
In game one, it was the Panthers who came out on top. The teams resumed play with the game tied at seven and due to the limited number of players available for each team, it was agreed that every player would be available, even if they played and were previously pulled back when the game began on May 30.
A two-run homer in the top of the tenth by Kevin Bushnell broke the tie and gave the Panthers a 9-7 lead. The Vikings would put two men on in the bottom of the tenth, but were unable to get a run across as they suffered their first loss of the season.
In the regularly scheduled game, the Vikings rode strong pitching performances by Jack Kienzle and Ty Chaney Jr. to a 4-2 victory. Kienzle picked up the win for the Vikings, tossing three innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on just two hits.
“I felt like my slider was working well,” Kienzle said of his performance. “Had some issues finding my fastball, but when I was able to get it in the zone it was getting the job done.”
Ty Chaney Jr. relieved Kienzle on the mound in the fourth and shut down the Panthers the rest of the way, going four shutout innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five enroute to picking up the save.
“I’m mostly an off-speed guy myself, so I get a lot of rollovers,” Chaney Jr. said of his willingness to pitch to contact. “Especially with the wood bats, I trust my stuff and my defense and just throw strikes.”
The Vikings scored all four of their runs in the third inning as they bounced back well from their first loss.
“The kids responded in a great way,” said manager Sullivan Stickann. “Every time that we have lost a lead or given up some runs, we have bounced right back. The kids were unfazed, so the win is totally on the kids. Everybody in the lineup and all of the pitchers knew the drill.”
The Vikings will enjoy a day off on Sunday before hosting the Panthers on Monday starting at 5pm from Dowling Park.
