Vikings softball beats Lions, 23-2, during home game

This was a walk-a-thon, a rear-end kicking, an unforeseen mismatch. With the Lady Vikings’ bullpen uncharacteristically quiet, you knew something was amiss. The Lions could not tame the strike zone. By the bottom of the 2nd, the Lady Vikings had managed 14 trips over home plate, mainly due to walks, giving up only two runs.

April 3, 2012 5:48 pm
Viking Bella Nigretto (2) making the tag at third during the home game against Concrete.
Viking Bella Nigretto (2) making the tag at third during the home game against Concrete.

by Marty Zier

Sports contributor

There are arch rivals in every sport.

It has been this way for years, strengthened by the lore from past players confirming the origins of the divisional intensity.

Travel to Concrete High School and you feel the surrounding mountains stare you down – you feel unwelcome. The Lady Concrete Lions softball team arrived at Buck Park Monday to continue the tradition against the Lady Vikings in the second league game.

Forget all that … this was a walk-a-thon, a rear-end kicking, an unforeseen mismatch. With the Lady Vikings’ bullpen uncharacteristically quiet, you knew something was amiss. The Lions could not tame the strike zone. By the bottom of the 2nd, the Lady Vikings had managed 14 trips over home plate, mainly due to walks, giving up only two runs.

Even when the Lions managed a hit in the 3rd, they fell into a double play between Bronn and Nigretto. Not even the Lion’s second pitcher could dial in strikes, letting the score slip to 20 to 2, aggravated by Bronn, Nigretto and Tidwell hits.

Starting Viking pitcher and catcher duo Garcia and Susol were relieved of duty, allowing backups Nigretto and Tully to play catch.

Susol, Janssen and Clure Thixton added singles while Garcia pounded a triple in the 4th before a pop fly by Fowler ended this abbreviated contest for the Vikings in the 5th inning – mercy rule applied, walking to a 23-2 win.

“Our girls did well, obviously that was a young, inexperienced team we played,” said Coach Scott Harris. “Aliviah pitched well for us and held the game tight… we look for the little things and the girls did well.”