Uncategorized

Vale holds off Parma for baseball win

Vale’s Trent Aldred pitches against Parma Monday afternoon at Vale High School. The Vikings posted a 19-12 non-league win and are now 1-3 on the season. (The Enterprise/Kristine de Leon)

VALE – The Vale High School baseball team racked up plenty of runs Monday to post a 19-12 non-league win over Parma. 

The Vikings (1-3) opened the season with a 11-7 loss to Homedale March 11 and then dropped a game to La Grande, 14-0 and Baker, 11-1, during the Bill Betts Invitational tournament over the weekend. 

Against all three teams the Vikings struggled from the mound, said coach Rick Yraguen.

Against Homedale, Vale gave up nine walks but recorded seven hits. Matt McBride finished the game with two hits and three RBIs while Tanner Hamilton had two hits and one RBI. 

In the 14-0 loss to La Grande, Vale’s McBride and Hamilton had three hits apiece. 

“La Grande is a very good team. We gave up too many free bases – nine walks, three hit batters – and you can’t do that against good teams,” said Yraguen.

Hamilton and Colton Kesey had one hit in the contest against Baker. 

Yraguen said he wasn’t too worried about the Viking’s 0-3 start.

“We found out a lot over the three games. What we need to work on. I believe we will get better with more time on the field,” said Yraguen.

Pitching will be a key point going forward and Yraguen experimented with different looks on the mound. During the three-game stand, six different Vikings pitched.

“We do have a long way to go to compete in league but I am sure the kids will hard to get there,” said Yraguen.

The Vikings played Parma Monday and then will not play again until April 4, when they take on Nyssa. 

Reporter Pat Caldwell: [email protected] or 541-473-3377.