Hammond, Ind. – June 7, 2023 – The Southland Vikings took on the Lake County Corn Dogs for a second consecutive day on Wednesday but were unable to exact revenge on the reigning champions falling by a score of 8-2.
The Vikings received a strong start from Jackson Lisle, who was making his season debut. The right hander tossed five innings of two hit ball, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out six. He left the game with the score tied at two after an RBI double by Matt Merk in the third and a sacrifice fly by Jimmy Gurgone in the fourth helped the Vikings erase a two-run deficit.
A wild sixth inning from Matt Maloney included two hit batters which helped load the bases for Tyler Schultz, who cleared the bases with a three-run triple. The Corn Dogs never looked back from there, adding a run in the seventh and two more in the ninth.
A key missed opportunity for the Vikings came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hobbs Dunne led off the inning with a walk, which was followed by a Jack Fitzharris single. After Matt Merk was then hit with a pitch, the Vikings had the bases loaded with nobody out in what was a 6-2 ballgame at the time. However, Corn Dogs reliever Chris Bachman was able to work his way out of the jam without allowing a run.
“In that situation, on a day like today where it’s cold and the wind is blowing in, it’s a pitcher’s day, so it’s tough,” manager Sullivan Stickann said of the missed opportunity. “But with the bases loaded and nobody out, they have nowhere to put you. [The hitter] really shouldn’t be the one reaching in that situation. [The pitcher] should be coming to you.”
The Vikings have an opportunity to bounce back tomorrow night when the struggling Generals visit Dowling Park.
“We gel together very well, and we have a little bit of chemistry starting to boil,” catcher Matt Merk said of the Vikings after the game. “I think we’re going to just keep getting better and better as the season goes on.”
First pitch between the Vikings (4-3) and Generals (0-6) is scheduled for 5pm with Jacob Cook projected to get the start for the Vikings.
