DAVENPORT, FLORIDA - Grand View began their trip to Florida with a bang, winning three games in a row. They started with a 12-2 victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene University, followed by a sweep of the Golden Eagles of Cornerstone University with scores of 13-8 and 13-4. The Vikings continued their winning streak with an impressive performance in the Sunshine State, scoring 12 runs and nine hits in the first game of the trip. They followed this up with an impressive 26 runs in the doubleheader, which included 17 hits and five home runs.
GAME 1: Drew Conn was credited with the win on the bump for the Vikings in Game 1, throwing six innings, giving up only two hits, and punching out eight batters. The Viking's offense did not hesitate, putting up five runs in the bottom of the first, and they would hold the lead for the remainder of the game.
Brock Rinehart singled up the middle to set up
Hank Himrich's 2-run blast to give Grand View the 2-run lead early. The Vikings would push across five runs in the bottom of the first, where they would not lose the lead the remainder of the game. Himrich followed up his first-inning home run with another in the second inning, pushing the score to 7-0. Grand View moves to 5-3 on the season.
GAME 2: Logan Smith started for Grand View, going five innings in his outing, three up and three down in the top of the first. Bringing the Hot bats up to the plate, the Vikings wasted no time; Wadel singled and stole second to get into scoring position, and Erick Broekemeier doubled to bring in Wadel. This was followed by Johnson's 5th home run of the season to cap off a three run in the first inning. The Golden Eagles scored 5 in the second to take the lead 5-3. The lead would not last long as the Vikings would retake the lead in the bottom of the third. Moving along to the bottom of the 5th inning, Himrich would blast a ball to right, giving the team the momentum they needed to finish the game.
Noah Kueter and
Drew Scherbenske would combine for two innings to shut the door in game 1.
GAME 3: Grand View picked up right where they had left off, collecting three hits and six baserunners to put up 3 in the first.
Jason Moist started in game 2, going three up and three down in his first two innings. The Vikings would add six runs in the third inning, highlighted by a Rinehart Home Run to put the Vikings ahead 9-0. Moving to the 6th inning,
Bryce Stalder collected his first hit of the season with a double to left center to score drill, making the score 11-0. Senior
Cade Armstrong would go 2.1 Innings to end the game, completing the 2-game sweep over the Golden Eagles.
GAME NOTES:
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Hank Himrich went 2-3 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs.
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Drew Conn 6 IP, 2 H, 2ER, 8 SO
• The Vikings have 33 Home Runs over ten games this season.
• The team has a .386 batting average with a .492 On-base Percentage.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Vikings will take on Calumet and No. 1 Southeastern on Saturday. Game one will be at 9:30 am EST, and game two will be scheduled for 3:00 PM EST.
