Fauquier Pulls Out Close One Over Vikings 8-7
PURCELLVILLE, VA - On Tuesday, May 13th, the Loudoun Valley Vikings lost to Fauquier High School 8-7. The Vikings committed four errors, two of which led to four unearned runs.
Right out of the gate, in the top of the 1st inning, the Vikings committed two defensive errors leading to two unearned runs and a 2-0 Falcon lead. In the top of the 3rd inning, the Falcons would add two more runs on a Billy Pierce two RBI single that would score Zach Phillips and Andrew Byrd.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning and down 4-0, the Vikings struck back for three runs. With one out, juniors Iain Mottice and Wes Walker drew back to back walks. Sophomore Alex Owens hit a double plating Mottice. With runners at 2nd and 3rd, junior Adam Reed would walk to load the bases. Junior TJ Daeschner would reach on an error scoring pinch runner Brian Kelly from 3rd base. With the bases still loaded, sophomore Daniel Fleming hit a grounder to 3rd baseman Zach Phillips who threw home for the force out. In the ensuing play, catcher Ryan Smith tried to throw to 1st base for the double play but his throw ended up in right field which scored Reed. Pinch runner Trey Clark tried to score all the way from 1st base on the play but was called out at the plate on a good relay throw and tag.
Fauquier would score three more runs in the top of the 5th inning on two hits and another costly Viking defensive error. The highlight of the day for the Vikes came in the bottom of the 6th inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, sophomore Alex Owens hit a grand slam home run over the right field fence to make the score 8-7. It would be Owens's second homer of the season. Owens had two of the Viking's five hits. He went 3-4 on the day with a single, double, HR, and 5 RBI's. Junior Wes Walker went 1-1 with three walks and two runs scored and sophomore Beattie Southerland went 1-3 with a walk. That would be it for the Vikes as they could not score in the bottom half of the 7th inning. Senior Thomas Moxley got his first start of the season and pitched well despite getting the tough loss. Junior Daniel Burke also pitched well and finished the game for the Vikes.
Falcon starting pitcher Nick McMahon would go four innings getting the win. Greg Ussery pitched in the 7th and recorded the save. The Viking's record falls to 9-9 overall and 5-7 in the district. They play again on Wednesday, May 14th at Culpeper and their last game is on Friday, May 16th at Stonewall Jackson HS. The district playoffs begin next week.
