southlandvikings.com

After a big third inning, the Southland Vikings (11-14) were in control for most of the game until the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (16-11) came back and won their fifth game against the Vikings.

Down 2-0 in the third inning, the Vikings scored six runs to take a 6-2 lead. Damon Saunders started the inning by reaching base on an error. With one run on, Shane Brown singled to move Saunders up and Dan Potempa followed with an RBI single. After Chris Stevens struck out and James Dawson walked, A.J. Doyle singled to plate two runs. After Micah Rooke knocked in another run, Vince Parisi doubled to give the Vikings a four-run lead.

That would be all for the Vikings offense, which still had a solid day as they outhit the Oilmen 10 to nine. Potempa led the way, going 3 for 4 with one run scored and one RBI. Rooke also looked good as he went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one RBI.

Starting on the mound for the Vikings was Aaron Hauge who looked strong. He went six innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits while walking four and striking out three.

Charlie Naso (2-1) came in to relieve Hauge and struggled in the seventh inning as he gave up five runs on three hits. The Oilmen came back in that inning to take a 7-6 lead. Chris Rudenga stepped up for them throughout the game, going 3 for 4 with one run scored and two RBIs.

After adding another run in the eighth, the Vikings went down in order in the ninth and fell to the Oilmen, 8-6. Joshua Negele (3-0) was the winning pitcher while Jack Cinoman (1-1) picked up his second save. Naso received the loss.

The Vikings will be back home Friday at 7:10 to take on the Will County CrackerJacks who they are 1-1 against.