In a game that saw both teams hammer out fifteen hits, the Marina Vikings pulled away in the end to defeat the Sea Kings Junior Varsity 15-12.
The Sea Kings jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Cason Yarnall (‘27) started off the inning with a single and scored when the Vikings’ right fielder misplayed the ball on Max Brengel’s (’27) single. Prescott Nyman (‘27) was up next and his line drive double to center field plated Brengel. Nyman then stole third base, and two batters later, scored on a passed ball.
The Vikings bounced right back to tie the game at three apiece in the top of the second inning, using a sacrifice fly and two bases-loaded walks.
The offense continued in the bottom of the second inning with the Sea Kings scoring four runs to make the score 7-3. Crosby Eddy (‘27) led off the frame with a double, and after Alex Wellmerling (‘27) earned a walk and Yarnall reached on an error, the bases were loaded. Brengel singled into right field to drive in Eddy and the bases remained loaded. Nyman bounced a ball over the wall in the right-center gap for an automatic double and picked up two RBI as Wellmerling and Yarnall came around to score. One out later, Sam Healy (‘27) singled to score Brengel.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Sea Kings added on another run as Wellmerling singled, advanced to second base on a ground out and then scored on Brengel’s single to right field.
The Vikings closed the gap to 8-5 in the top of the fourth inning with a two-out rally. A single was followed by back-to-back doubles and Marina had two more runs on the scoreboard as a result.
The Sea Kings added another singleton in their half of the fourth inning. Healy and Jacob Olson (‘27) singled, and then stole third base and second base, respectively. Healy then scored as a result of an error on the Vikings’ catcher.
Marina pulled to within two runs in the top of the fifth inning. A full house consisting of two walks and three singles plated two Vikings and made the score 9-7.
The turning point of the game came in the top of the sixth inning. A hit by pitch, a walk and a sacrifice bunt put the tying runs on second and third bases for the Vikings with one out. Following a strikeout, a single to center field brought home both Vikings’ runners and the score was tied at nines. The next Vikings’ hitter singled and there were runners on first and second bases. Marina’s next hitter looked at three straight strikes to apparently end the inning. However, a dropped third strike allowed the batter to safely reach first base and the bases were loaded. They were not loaded for long. A double to left field plated all three runners and the Vikings were up 12-9.
Undaunted, the Sea Kings mounted a gritty rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the score at 12-12. The rally started with a leadoff double by Cash Burns (‘27). An error on the Vikings and a walk loaded the bases. The unconventional rally continued as a hit by pitch and another walk forced in two runs for the Sea Kings. A groundball fielder’s choice brought in another run and the Sea Kings had tallied three runs with only one ball ever leaving the infield.
Not to be outdone in the unconventional rally category, the Vikings were able to score the decisive three runs in the top of the seventh inning despite only collecting one hit, which was only a single at that. Marina was greatly aided by a number of defensive miscues on the part of the Sea Kings in the frame.
Offensive stars shone bright for the Sea Kings up and down the lineup.
Leadoff man Yarnall set the tone at the top of the order going one for three and scoring two runs.
Brengel filled up the box score, going three for five, while scoring two runs and driving in two.
For the second straight game, Nyman had two doubles as part of his three for five day at the plate. Nyman scored a run, collected three RBI and stole a base, while extending his hitting streak to five games.
Healy finished his day with a stat line of two for five, with a run, an RBI and two stolen bases.
Center fielder Olson reached base three times with two singles and a walk. He swiped three bases and scored a run.
Wellmerling scored two runs, as he went one for two and added a walk.
The Sea Kings Junior Varsity travels to Marina to face the Vikings in game two of their series on Wednesday, April 16.