Box Score LEWISTON, IDAHO - The Grand View Vikings Baseball team kicked off the 2025 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series against the LSU Shreveport Pilots. Shreveport headed into the World Series as the top ranked team, going undefeated and boasting a historic record of 54-0. The Vikings fought hard until the very end, but the Pilots' highlight reel of defensive plays closed the game 6–3 in a first game loss for the Vikings.
The Vikings started the opener with bats in hand, but a quick three and out put Kaleb Krier on the mound for Grand View. In the bottom of the first inning, a two-run homer over the left-center wall gave LSU Shreveport an early 2–0 lead. They added another run in the third with a solo shot over the center field wall, extending their lead to 3–0. In the fourth inning, a two-run homer over the right field fence increased their advantage to 5–0.
Despite the early deficit, the Vikings remained resilient and stuck to their game plan. In the fifth inning, Brock Johnson hit a solo shot over the left-center field fence, putting Grand View on the board at 5–1. In the bottom of the seventh, Noah Kueter relieved Kaleb Krier on the mound with a runner on first. Shreveport was able to find an RBI single to right field before Kueter struckout the last batter to head to the top of the eighth.
The Vikings continued to battle, scoring two more runs in the eighth inning. Patrick Bergkamp led off with a single, and Brock Rinehart followed with a two-run homer over the right field fence, narrowing the gap to 6–3 with no outs. The Vikings struggled to keep the momentum, striking out for out one and closing the top of the eighth with two fly outs to center field. Noah Kueter was replaced on the mound in the bottom of the eighth by Kaden Stewart. Both pitchers provided valuable innings in relief, keeping the game within reach.
In the top of the ninth inning, LSU Shreveport made great defensive plays to close out the game. "Losing is tough, but it was a great ball game. Playing the number one team in the nation and having a chance in the last inning was my whole goal. We weren't able to get a few key hits with runners in scoring position, but I'm proud of the team. It was a good ball game and we played a tough team" said head coach Doug Brinker. The Vikings are looking to their senior Jason Moist who will start on the hill tomorrow, and plan to grind it out and take game two keeping their playoff dreams alive.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT
The Vikings take on the Patriots of the University of Cumberlands in game two of the 2025 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series tomorrow at 5:00 PM CST. A Viking win would continue their run on the national stage.
