by Marty Zier
Sports contributor
Viking softball is showing promising signs for a successful season as the ladies amassed a 3-0 overall record after a whopping 23-2 league win over the Concrete Lions on March 29. A previously scheduled game against Darrington was postponed due to rain.
Head coach Kevin White split up the pitching duties between Portia White and Flora Lister. They pitched a combined four innings with three hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts.
“Our bats stayed hot as we had 11 hits, 12 RBIs with Jessie Nichols, Katy Minnis and Lindsay Simpson with two hits and five RBIs each,” said White. “Astasia Monahan had four RBIs and blasted a triple along with Nichols. Great all around game as we jumped out to a 13-1 first inning lead and never looked back.”
The undefeated Vikings are followed by Darrington with an overall record of (1-3), Friday Harbor (2-4), La Conner (0-2) and Concrete (1-4). The Darrington Loggers travel to Buck Park for an April 9 match against Orcas while the Vikings travel to La Conner on April 10.
Vikings baseball opened the season with a 5-1 league win over the Concrete Lions on March 29.
Head coach James Segault said it was an overall solid team effort.
“Hayden Simpson threw a gem, a complete game,” he said. “He gave up two hits, struck out five, threw 90 pitches and had zero walks. Vanya Bullock and Tomas Holmes both doubled while Garrett Ballanger was 2/3 with an RBI. Charles Brady was 1/2 with a walk, RBI and a stolen base. We played well. I am very proud of my guys.”
With the first league game completed the Vikings have an overall record of (1-2) with Darrington at (0-3), Friday Harbor (2-2), La Conner (0-2) and Concrete (1-2). Orcas will host Darrington on April 9 and travel to meet the Braves of La Conner on April 10.
Vikings golf started the season with a loss to Friday Harbor, 262–258, on March 20, and had its next match with Lummi Nation postponed due to rain. The Vikings lost to Mt. Vernon Christian, 230–205 on March 27. Assistant coach Bob Nutt said the course against the Mt. Vernon Christian Hurricanes was still quite wet despite overall beautiful weather.
“The team had a great time at Mt. Vernon Christian,” he said. “Leif Gustafson shot a 41, Serei O’Toole 54, Justin Brewer 66 and Ewan Lister a 69, and although there was no official women’s match (due to lack of NW 1A/2B female players), Maia Lewis Shunk shot a 46 and sister Zoe a 48. Maia, Zoe and Leif shot nice rounds given the wet conditions. Serei and Justin were steady and this was Ewan’s first match of the year.”
The Vikings travel to Lopez on April 5.
