southlandvikings.com

Griffith, Ind. – July 7, 2023 – Different day, same score. That was the case between the Southland Vikings and Griffith Generals on Friday as the Vikings came out on top by a score of 10-1 for a second consecutive day to sweep a short home and home series.  

Playing in Griffith after a win at Dowling Park on Thursday, the Vikings followed up their season high 16 hit performance with a 12-hit effort to extend their winning streak to four.  

The Vikings made consistent contact and battled in their at bats throughout the evening as they struck out only once in the game.   

“We just keep working tough at bats,” Vikings skipper Sullivan Stickann said of the recent offensive surge. “We’re doing a really good job of hitting with guys on base right now. A lot of guys who were hitting fly balls early in the season are now hitting line drives.”

On the mound, Will Moell struck out seven while allowing just one run on five hits and four walks through six innings to pick up the win.  

“Just had one bad inning where I had trouble finding the zone and usually, I have two or three of those,” Moell said of his performance. “So, it felt good to cut down on those and make guys hit it and limit free bases.”  

The lone run for the Generals scored on a straight steal of home plate by Mark Ross in the sixth inning. The Generals stranded nine runners on base throughout the game.  

Kayden Norkus and Jacob Cook combined for three innings of scoreless relief to close out the game and kick off the Vikings’ three game road trip on a positive note.

An interesting aspect of the game for the Vikings was how they provided reps at shortstop for both Jack Fitzharris and Shemar Harris.

Wanting to give both players plenty of opportunities at shortstop, Stickann flipped the two players around for each of the first six innings, with Fitzharris playing shortstop and Harris in left field in the odd numbered innings and Harris at shortstop with Fitzharris in left during the even numbered innings. Fitzharris then stayed in left with Harris at short from the seventh inning on.

“Yes, you will definitely see that more often,” Stickann replied when asked whether he would utilize a similar strategy in future games. “It’s tough having two good shortstops and only one can play at a time there…I want to get those guys as many opportunities as possible.”

The Vikings (17-14) continue their road trip on Saturday with a game in Nappanee, Ind. to take on the Miracle (13-19). First pitch is at 5pm ct.