Right fielder Ryan Lopetegui hit a triple in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Vikings lost 19-5 to Rio Hondo on Thursday.
“We don’t really come to play our best game every day, so they need to individually figure out how to be ready to play to win every time they show up and then if we do that individually we will be able to do it as a group moving forward,” said Coach Casey Crook.
The first three innings remained scoreless for both teams, as both teams were unable to capitalize when runners did get on base.
The scoring didn’t start until the top of the fourth inning when Rio Hondo hit a single to pitcher Logan Carr, however, Carr slipped when trying to field the ball allowing the runner to come from third, scoring the first run of the game.
Rio Hondo was able to add on more runs during this inning with two hit by pitches, an error allowing the runner to reach first, and a fielder’s choice making the 5-0 Rio Hondo.
However, in the fifth inning, the Vikings allowed a walk, an error, and a single before making a pitching change to pitcher Johann Gibbs.
Gibbs gave up five hits as Rio Hondo scored six more runs making the score 11-0.
The Vikings made another pitching change in the top of the sixth inning replacing Gibbs with pitcher Sean Lovett, to which Lovett gave up two hits, two runs, and two walks making the score 13-0.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Vikings scored their first few runs, when center fielder Danny Rodriguez hit a two-run home run and second baseman Alejandro Rosas hit a single making the score 15-3.
Outfielder Danny Gill hits a single and sets up the Vikings for scoring. (Diosa Hippolyta)
“I’m not really thinking about hitting a home run right there, I’m just trying to put in a good at bat and get the next guy up, but I mean it’s tough in situations like that,” Rodriguez said.
In the ninth inning, both teams were able to add more runs, as Rio Hondo scored four runs and the Vikings were able to score two runs making the final score 19-5.
Pitcher Marcos Orizaba pitches to Rio Hondo in the top of the nineth. (Isabel Murty)
“Just keep our heads up and get going for the next game,” said Rosas when asked about what the team can do better at.
The Vikings currently have an overall record of 7-8, a conference record of 2-3, and a home record of 3-5.