By Rachel Haueter
For the Enterprise
The Vikings opened Eastern Oregon League play with a doubleheader win, 10-5 and 20-3, over visiting Joseph/Enterprise in baseball action at Vale April 1.
Josh Buchholz and Gage Fortin pitched the first game and Dawson Eddy pitched the full five innings of game two.
“We had a couple of errors during the two games,” said Vale coach Rick Yraguen, “But all in all, I thought that we played pretty good ball. At the plate, we had some timely hits and some really good at bats.”
Trace Cummings tries to avoid a pitched ball, heading for his leg.Hitters for both games combined: Trace Cummings 3/4, 4 RBIs; Gage Fortin 2/6, 4 RBIs; Cody Towers 4/8, 6 RBIs; Josh Buchholz 4/8, 4 RBIs; Dawson Eddy 2/8, 2 RBIs; Cade Perry 5/8, 3 RBIs; Marco Gomez 3/6, 1 RBI; Carson Brown 1/4; Tanner Hamilton 1/3, 1 RBI; Dillon Kaschmitter 2/4, 2 RBIs.
Vale started the week with a rematch against the Homedale Trojans, their only loss of the season.
Played at home, the Viks again lost to the Idaho team by two points, 10-8.
Towers and Fortin pitched the seven innings. The third inning saw Vale give up six runs on four hits with a couple of errors and walks.
“At the plate, we were pretty silent until the sixth, when things got interesting with five runs on four hits and a couple of walks,” said Yraguen.
Hitters: Fortin 3/4, 3 RBIs, double; Buchholz 3/4, 3 RBIs, double; Eddy 2/4, 1 RBI, 2 doubles; Perry 1/4; Gomez 2/4; Hamilton 1/2, 1 RBI.
In nonleague action, Vale was at home Monday, April 4, facing a strong Weiser Wolverine team. Weiser won the game 14-3.
The Vikings will travel to New Plymouth, Wednesday, April 6. EOL action will continue at home this Friday, April 8, with a doubleheader versus Umatilla with game time at 2 p.m.
Vale, 6-2, 2-0, is now sitting in the 12th spot in the OSAA state rankings.