southlandvikings.com

Griffith, Ind. – May 31, 2023 – Five no hit innings from Jorgie Vazquez and a wild sixth inning led to the Vikings first win of the season and the first managerial win at the collegiate level for Sullivan Stickann.  

What started as a pitching duel, ended up being a 9-5 victory for the Vikings over the Griffith Generals. After Tuesday’s season opener was suspended after nine innings, the Vikings wasted no time picking up their first win of the season.  

The game started as a pitching duel with Vikings starter Jorgie Vazquez throwing five strong innings, allowing no hits, while walking two and hitting a pair. Vazquez found success by attacking hitters early in the count and trusting the defense behind him.  

“I was just trying to get in the zone as quick as possible and let the guys work,” Vazquez said. “We’re out here just trying to have fun and I know if I attack the zone, good things will happen.”  

On the other side, Generals starter Jimmy Fairley had a strong start as well, allowing just one run in four innings. That run came after Shemar Harris singled to right and then advanced all the way to third on an errant pickoff attempt by Fairley. Harris scored on an RBI groundout to first by Jack Fitzharris.  

The score remained 1-0 Vikings until the sixth, when the Vikings took advantage of a wild Generals bullpen. Three different pitchers took the mound in the sixth inning for Griffith, as the Vikings put up four runs to cushion their lead. Two of the runs came on Caleb Deal wild pitches, while Shemar Harris and Jack Fitzharris each added an RBI single.  

The Vikings tacked on two additional runs in both the eighth and ninth innings, taking a 9-1 lead into the final frame.  

The Generals tried to make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, taking advantage of some Vikings wild pitches, but ultimately came up short as the Vikings held on for the 9-5 win.  

“It’s really important to get that first one out of the way. If it takes too long, it just drags on,” Stickann said of getting the first win. “Now I don’t need to think about it and everyone else can feel a bit easier. The first one is always the toughest one to get.”  

The Vikings have a day off on Thursday before taking on the Elkhart County Miracle for the first time on Friday at 6pm CT.