Vikings have busy week
Published 3:51 pm Monday, May 6, 2013
Golf team
The Viking golf team played Cedar Park Mount Lake Terrace on April 29.
“Roo Smith did great, had his best score for the year and Peter Miller had his best score on our course,” said Coach Justin Taylor.
Orcas scores were led by Smith with 39, Graye Parnell 50, Miller 61, Mara Nutt 62 and Zack Kostechko 74.
William Coe, Parnell, Smith and Nutt all qualified to represent Orcas Island High Schools at the League Playoffs at the Gallery Golf Course in Oak Harbor.
After 18 holes, Smith and Nutt both qualified to compete in the High School District Golf Championships on May 9.
“Our athletes all did a great job representing Orcas Island and I am especially proud of their good sportsmanship and persistence this season,” Taylor said.
Baseball team
The Viking baseball team (3-6) had a rough afternoon against the Friday Harbor Wolverines (18-4), enduring a 20-0 loss on April 29.
“We were horrible; defensive errors, mental errors. We did not show up to play, said coach Jim Passer.
The Vikings travel this week to Stanwood for the Bi-District playoffs against Seattle Lutheran.
Softball team
The Viking softball team (11-4) secured a tie for the League Championship last week after winning crucial games against LaConner and Friday Harbor.
On May 1, Orcas beat the LaConner Braves 9-4 with district seeding and league standings on the line.
“This was the third time we had played LaConner and we had lost the last game against them, so this win earned us first seed in district playoffs,” said Coach Jason Nichols.
The Vikings were down 4-0 in the second inning but by the fifth inning had taken the lead.
“We were pleased to see the girls not panic after falling behind and chip their way back to win,” Nichols said. “Bella Nigretto had a good game, hitting 4/4 with four doubles.”
May 3 was a magnificent day for the Vikings with Orcas, winning their first game in fast pitch history against the Wolverines in Friday Harbor, according to Nichols. The 3-2 victory secured the League Championship for the Vikings in a three-way tie with LaConner and Friday Harbor.
The game was everything a title bout is supposed to be with the lead changing back and forth until a tie in the top of the seventh inning when Emma Minnis got on first base. Nigretto sacrificed pinch runner Bethany Meenach to second and a double by Lana Bronn brought in the winning run. Friday Harbor had one more chance to win in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and runners on second and third base. Kirsten Fowler nabbed the grounder tagging out the runner securing the win.
“Pitcher Aliviah Garcia was a star – she mixed up her pitches and kept the hitters completely off balance all day,” Nichols said.
On May 4, the Vikings hosted the Adna Pirates in a non-league annual contest that is as much a family reunion as a softball game with a party the night before and a barbecue after the game. Although losing 6-2, Nichols said, “This was a moral victory for us, as Adna is always in the running for the state championship and we’ve never taken them seven innings.” The Vikings start the playoffs in Lynden May 10.
‘Hit-a-Thon’
The softball and baseball teams will be holding a Hit-a-thon in Buck Park on Tuesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. Burgers, chips and soda are $5 per plate. The teams are looking for sponsors this week: people can sponsor a flat fee or a per foot donation based on how far they hit the ball. Sponsor sheets will be at the high school or at the park on May 14.
