Vikings baseball bulldoze through the playoffs, sealing their third consecutive victory with a commanding 9-2 triumph and a strong performance by Caleb Brandon over the Riverside Tigers on Thursday.
Pitcher Dylan Proost started the game on the mound pitching six innings, allowing a total of six hits and two runs.
In a display of offensive strength, the Vikings orchestrated a six-run fourth inning, propelling them toward their win on Cerritos College’s field .
The Vikings started the game, scoring the first run with Olin Snakenborg singling to left field, resulting in a run by Brandon.
Riverside retaliated in the second inning, scoring a single run.
“We are feeling great, we put ourselves in a great position getting that first win, so we just need to come back tomorrow and keep playing hard,” said centerfielder Xander McLaurin.
Shortstop Snakenborg unleashed a double to center field in the bottom of the fourth, allowing Brandon and McLaurin into score, putting up two more on the board, earning Snakenborg two of his four total RBIs.
Two more pivotal runs in the fourth inning set the stage for an exciting game, as Snakenborg and Luke Davis raced home on a blistering single through the left side by first baseman Ryan Geck, driving the score to 8-1.
“We definitely hit the ball well today and had a really good approach, we knew that in the scouting report that came in they were going to throw a lot of fastballs so we just sat back and took it for a ride,” said McLaurin.
Despite changing pitchers from Proost to Thomas Adair in the seventh inning, the Vikings continued their fight throughout the remainder of the game.
Snakenborg’s sacrifice fly to center field in the eighth inning secured the Vikings’ win, as Brandon crossed home plate finalizing the 9-2 score.
Second baseman James Provencio also had a stand-out game scoring two of the nine runs.
“It feels really good to be in the playoffs, I knew since day one we’d be a playoff team and that we’d do well, and hopefully we’ll push for the final four,” said Provencio.
With their spirits high, the Vikings look ahead with hope as they gear up for their next playoff game on May 10 at Cerritos College.