Vikes Win On Matt Reed's RBI Single In 9th
PURCELLVILLE, VA - After more than a week of rain, the boys in green and gold were back on the diamond in the friendly confines of Fireman's Field. Tonight in extra innings, the Loudoun Valley Vikings defeated the Battlefield High School Bobcats in a nail biter 2-1. The Vikings have won seven straight games improving to 10-7 and 6-5 in the Cedar Run District. The Bobcats fall to 9-9 and 7-5 in the district. This was a key district win for the Vikes as they hit the home stretch of their regular season.
In the bottom of the 9th inning with the score tied 1-1, senior Iain Mottice hit a line drive shot for a double off the right field fence just inches away from a walk off home run. Senior Wes Walker followed with a towering fly ball to deep center that looked like it had a chance for extra bases but the center field flagged it down for the first out. Junior Alex Owens came to the plate and after two straight balls, he was intentionally walked to put runners at 1st and 2nd base. Up to the plate came freshman Matt Reed and on a 1-1 count hit a line drive to the gap in left center. The centerfielder made a diving attempt as the ball hit the end of his mitt and dropped for a base hit. Mottice who had to hold at second base took off and was waved around 3rd base by Coach Wayne Todd and slid into home plate for the game winning run.
Senior Adam Reed got the start for the Vikings, throwing two complete innings and pitching to one batter in the third inning before giving way to senior Daniel Burke. Reed allowed only one run on five hits while striking out three Bobcat hitters. The Bobcats only run came in the top of the second inning. Zach Harris led off with a double. Max Dove bunted him over to third base and Chris Moylan grounded out to shortstop Daniel Fleming plating Harris.
Burke pitched masterfully shutting down the Bobcat hitters for 5 2/3 innings allowing only two hits and striking out two hitters. Meanwhile Battlefield starting pitcher John Williams held the Vikings bats at bay through four innings. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Mottice led off with a single, Williams would get Walker and Owens to both fly out to centerfield for two outs. Reed would reach on a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd base. Junior Andrew Creamer would deliver an RBI single scoring Mottice to tie the game at 1-1.
Coach Todd knowing the importance of this game brought in senior Kevin Rinek in relief of Burke. Rinek is normally a starter for the Vikings. He came through pitching the final 1 1/3 innings to get the win.
The Vikings finish out the 2009 regular season next week with three district games. They play at Culpeper on Monday, at Fauquier on Tuesday and back at home against Culpeper on Wednesday. The Cedar Run district playoffs start on Monday, May 18.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Senior Daniel Burke: 5 2/3 IP, 0 runs, 2 hits, 2 K's
Senior Kevin Rinek: 1 2/3 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 K
Senior Iain Mottice: 2-3, 2B, 2BB, 2 runs
Freshman Matt Reed: 2-4, 2B, BB, RBI
