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Whiting, Ind. – June 28, 2022 – Rivalry matchups are always fun, especially when there is history on the line. 

Tuesday night’s matchup in Whiting between the Southland Vikings (13-10-1) and the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (13-12) was the 100th installment of the rivalry matchup and it went the Vikings way, winning by a final of 6-2. 

Once again, the Viking pitching staff set the tone for the entire game. Four pitchers went to work for the Vikings on Tuesday, as a staff they allowed just three hits with seven walks and 15 strikeouts. But this performance wouldn’t have been possible without the strong start from Nolan Vlcek. The right-hander went five innings of two-run baseball yielding two hits and two walks while punching out seven Oilmen hitters. 

“Just [throw] that first-pitch strike,” Vlcek said. “Really get my offspeed over because they really struggle with that once you go to that.” 

The momentum the Viking pitching staff had immediately translated to the offensive side of the ball. Due to timely hitting by multiple players, the Viking offense was yet again able to have multiple innings with a crooked number on the scoreboard. 

They were once again led offensively by Kyle Fenner. Fenner provided his usual spark at the top of the Viking order, going two-for-three with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. 

“Just swinging [the bat] and my speed,” Fenner said. “Me and George [Bilecki] batting one and two, we're both pretty fast so it's pretty dangerous when we both get on.”

With the way the bats have performed the past couple of games in addition to the bullpen getting stronger, the Vikings have gained confidence. Leading to Nolan Vlcek, Sean Moore, and George Bilecki all in agreement on one thing, “don’t let the ‘Vikes get hot.”

The Southland Vikings return to Dowling Park on Wednesday to play host to the Chicago American Giants. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and will be aired on Facebook Live and the Vikings Radio Network.

This is Vikings Baseball.

Photo Credit: Isaiah Santiago