Daeschner, Vikes Hold On To Beat Battlefield 6-4
PURCELLVILLE, VA - After losing two straight district games, the Loudoun Valley Vikings hold on to beat Battlefield 6-4. The Vikings improve to 9-7 overall and 5-5 in the Cedar Run District.
In the top of the 4th inning and down 3-0, the Vikes put up six runs. With runners on 2nd and 3rd base, senior Thomas Moxley would hit into a fielder's choice to plate sophomore Beattie Southerland for the first run. Freshman Matt McMahon would reach on an error and junior Iain Mottice would follow with a single to load the bases. Junior Wes Walker came to the plate and delivered a two RBI single to left field scoring Moxley and McMahon. With runners at 1st and 2nd, sophomore Alex Owens would draw a walk to load the bases again. Mottice would score on a wild pitch with both runners advancing into scoring position. Up came junior TJ Daeschner who smashed a double hitting the centerfield wall plating both Walker and Owens for a 6-3 lead.
Battlefield would get a run back in the bottom of the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Battlefield had a chance to take the game. With one out and runners at 1st and 2nd, Head Coach Wayne Todd elected to intentionally walk Danny McDonald to load the bases and create a force out at any base. That would not be necessary as TJ Daeschner, who came in in relief in the 5th inning, would "K" the next two hitters to end the game and record the save. Junior Kevin Rinek started for the Vikes and got the win.
The Vikings are in 5th place in the district. The top four teams get home field advantage for the first game of the district playoffs with the semi-finals and finals played at Osbourn Park. Only two teams can advance to the Northwest Regional playoffs with the season district champions receiving an automatic bid. The Vikings four remaining games are all district games. They play Stonewall Jackson on Thursday, May 8th at Fireman's Field. Game time is 6pm.
