Vale’s Tanner Hamilton slides into home plate, beating the high throw to the Hilanders’ catcher during game one of two between Burns and Vale in Eastern Oregon League action. The two victories by the Vikings solidifies Vale into the second slot in the league standings. (Photo courtesy Burns Times Herald)
BURNS – Vale baseball made the trip to Burns worth the trip, grabbing two wins to remain in second place in the Eastern Oregon League.
The Viks started the week with a 16-3 victory over Parma on Monday, April 30, in non-league action.
Vale scattered 18 hits against the Panthers as Matt McBride, Cody Ross, Colton Kesey and Jason Ponce each picked up three hits. Keegan Mizuta and Kesey picked up the win on the mound for Vale.
Against Burns last Friday, the Vikings took game one 11-1.
“This was just a solid game for us,” said Coach Rick Yraguen.
The Vikings put together 10 hits led by McBride, Kesey and Josh Arritola each with two hits.
Game two proved to be tougher.
Down 7-3 in the final inning, Vale scored 5 runs in its final at bat for an 8-7 victory. The rally came with 6 hits in a row and also came as Kesey closed out Burns in the bottom of the inning to hold on to the win.
McBride, Mizuta and Jarad Fulwyler combined for 7 hits and 6 RBIs.
“It was great to see the fight in the guys, but it would have been easier on me if they would have started a little earlier,” Yraguen said.
The Vikings (9-2 Eastern Oregon League, 13-7 overall) were to play Nyssa (1-10 league, 1-22 overall) on Tuesday. Due to press time, results were unavailable.
Vale closes out the season with two home games against the league leaders, Stanfield/Echo, Friday starting at 2 p.m.