Hammond, Ind. - July 15, 2021 - The Southland Vikings (10-16) coming off a blow out loss on Wednesday, faced off against the MCL Minutemen (5-15) on Thursday for the the third time in four games. A back and forth game, the Vikings came back in the ninth inning, the game was called after 10 innings due to darkness 5-5.
The MCL Minutemen jumped to an early 2-0 lead after four innings, scoring one run in the second and fourth.
Southland tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Chris McDevitt (Indiana State / Chicago, Ill.) led the inning off with a double to right field. Jon Crowel (Flagler / Highland, Ind.) chopped a single to center field advancing McDevitt to third, no outs. McDevitt scored on a wild pitch on the next at-bat, 2-1 and Crowel advanced to second on the same pitch. After a fielder's choice, Crowel advanced to third with two outs. Marc Babicz (Lake Land / Stickney, Ill.) grounded to the shortstop but the first baseman couldn’t handle the throw and Crowel scored, tying the game at 2-2.
The Minutemen used a big three run fifth inning, scoring all their runs with two outs, regaining the lead at 5-2.
The Vikings didn’t go away, in the seventh inning Kyel Alexander (St. Ambrose / Burbank, Ill.) drew a one out walk. Alexander stole second and third, due to the errant throw from the catcher to third base, Alexander scored, chipping at the deficit 5-3.
Lucas Spence (Uncommitted / Beecher, Ill.) who was the DH and batting second, came out of the bullpen in the eighth inning. Spence kept the Minutemen hitters quiet at the plate, allowing the Vikings offense to mount any comeback.
With three outs to work with, the Vikings down 5-3 in the ninth. Alexander ripped a one out double down the left field line. Alexander advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single to right field from Tommy Carlson (Moraine Valley / Peotone, Ill.) 5-4. The next batter Darrius Little (Morton / Chicago, Ill.) lined an RBI single off the pitcher's leg, the ball rolling to right field scoring Carlson, tying the game at 5-5.
“We came back at the end and didn’t go away,” Vikings Manager Rocco Mossuto said. “Wish we could have finished this game off in the ninth or tenth but it was getting dark out there. Great job from the bullpen to keep us in the game, the offense found a way to stay in the game and eventually tie it in the ninth.”
Both teams went scoreless in the tenth inning, having the game be suspended at 5-5 due to darkness. When it is resumed, the score will be 5-5 entering the top of the eleventh inning. A resumption date, as of this point, has not been announced.
The Vikings will return to the field on Friday, July 16 against the MCL Minutemen. The game will be at 5:05 p.m. and take place at Riverside Park in Hammond, Ind. You can view the game on the Southland Vikings Facebook Page via Facebook Live. Jack Theil will have the call for the game.
