Vikings sweep Shoreline in home opener

MOSES LAKE — Going into the bottom of the seventh inning the Big Bend Vikings were down 5-1 against Shoreline Saturday.

Kyle Wright hit a double to begin the second half of the inning and headed home after a single to left field by Blake Wickstrom.

Kory Tweede earned a hit on a line-drive single to right field that put him on first. Wickstrom and Tweede crossed the dish on a long ball hit by Ryan Bernsen, who was tagged out at third, but not before recording two RBIs.

Sean Heary ended the inning with a fly ball that was snagged in right field.

With Chris Bessette on the mound, the Vikings came up with a stop at the top of eighth. Bessette faced four batters and the infield earned three consecutive outs after a walk of the first Shoreline batter.

In the bottom of the inning, Billy Rigsby singled to center and stole second and third on a Shoreline error. He was brought in by Cameron Olinger who was tagged out at first.

Big Bend ended the inning with a tied ball game at 5-5.

"It's nice to get down and come back," said Big Bend head coach Donnie Lindgren. "We didn't panic. Overall, I thought we played well."

Both teams were scoreless through the ninth inning.

In the top of the tenth, Shoreline recorded to quick fly outs in center field and at second base. Bessette walked the next two batters.

With runners on first and second, Bessette struck out his final batter of the game.

Bernsen was hit by a wild pitch to begin the bottom of the tenth inning. On Heary's at bat, Bernsen was tagged out while attempting to steal second and Heary was tagged out at first.

Rigsby came to the plate with two outs and nobody on and hit a double to the fence. Brandon Jewett was walked to get on base.

Olinger came to the plate and singled to left, bringing Rigsby home and ending the game with a win for the Vikings.

"Cameron (Olinger) with that base hit and Chris (Bessette) pitching well got us the win," said Lindgren.

Big Bend earned 13 hits and committed no errors in the game. Shoreline earned nine hits and committed four errors.

"This year we have a really sophomore orientated infield," Lindgren said. "It's a good mix of veteran players and leaders. Our freshmen are doing a good job. It's going to be an exciting season."

The Vikings finished their sweep of Shoreline with a 6-2 victory in the second game.

Big Bend's six runs came off of 12 hits and they committed two errors. Brandon Price was the winning pitcher. Shoreline's two runs came off of six hits and three errors.

The Vikings split with Green River Sunday, taking the first game 7-3 on 10 hits and committing two errors. Erik Fitzgerald was the winning pitcher, with Brad Oakshott coming in for the save. Green River's three runs came on six hits and two errors.

Green River took the second game 15-7. Big Bend's seven runs on 11 hits and the Vikings committed three errors. Green River's 15 runs came on 18 hits abd they committed two errors.