Trailing 8-0, a six run sixth inning helped propel the Vikings to a high scoring 10-8 win over ninth ranked Tyler in non-conference action on Monday, April 8.
Trailing by eight, the Vikings never wavered from their gameplan. Tyler Brodrick led off the sixth inning with a single. He stole second, and moved to third on a passed ball. Mason Ruiz brought home the first run with a sharp single to right field for the first run. John Maldonado Jr drew a walk, and Brandon Seidmeyer followed suit with a single to left to draw within 8-2. Trey Oblas loaded the bases with a walk. Two batters later, Kain Sanchez cleared the bases with a double off the wall in center field, and in the blink of an eye, the Vikings were within 8-5. Sloan Barrett kept the train moving with an RBI single, and the Vikings found themselves down just 8-6 after the sixth inning after Barrett was thrown out at home plate on a single from Polk.
Grady Moore dominated the seventh inning to keep the score at 8-6.
Grayson remained patient at the plate. Ruiz led off the seventh with a single, and moved to second on a walk by Maldonado Jr. Three batters later, Blake McCarthy worked the walk, seeing 12 pitches in his at-bat. Sanchez worked the four pitch walk, and the Vikings pulled within 8-7.
Andrew Schultz came on in relief, working around a one out double to keep the Vikings within a run.
Brodrick led off the eighth with a single, and moved to second on a single by Polk. Ruiz was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Maldonado Jr hit a hard ball to right field, scoring two, and Ruiz hustled to score on a throwing error to help the Vikings come all the way back to take the lead at 10-8.
Ruiz pitched a scoreless ninth, working around the lead off walk, and striking out the final batter to lock in the win.
Eight different Vikings recorded a hit; Polk led the way with a 3-4 day at the plate. Sanchez drove in four, and Maldonado Jr drove in two. Brodrick, Ruiz, and Polk all recorded multi-hit days at the plate.
Conference play resumes with another ranked opponent on deck for this week. Seventh ranked Weatherford will come to Dub Hayes Field on Thursday, April 11 for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 pm.