The Vikings started their season with a resounding 7 to 3 win over Solano. DVC’s ace right hander Nicholas Pasquale went six innings allowing three hits, walking four and striking out five. Pasquale had plenty of help from his offense as the Vikings posted six runs in the first four innings, including five in the bottom of the second.
Solano’s starter, Alec Kenilvort, lasted only an inning and a half. After a 1, 2, 3 first inning, Kenilvort lost his command of the strike zone and walked five players while only allowing two hits. Those hits proved to be fatal as both singles accounted for three runs. Walks proved to be Kenilvort’s downfall as he walked in two runs, and accounting for five total by the end of the inning.
On the other side of the score board, Pasquale had a sublime outing. He would feel some pressure in the top of the fifth as two walks and a passed ball set up a Solano RBI double, a fielders choice that scored their second run, and an RBI single to center for their third run of the inning.
Coach Steve Ward said of his starter ” He’s a great player; he’s going to get drafted but today he didn’t have the control we are used to. He had four walks; he normally doesn’t walk anyone.”
The game was capped off with an acrobatic defensive play by the shortstop Aaron Hernandez. With a ball hit into the hole, Hernandez went to his right and with a Jeter-esque pick got the ball to his throwing hand whilst in mid-air and threw out the runner just in time. Ward said of the play “It was a phenomenal grab.”
In the bottom of the eighth, first baseman Cameron Merriwether blasted a home run over the left field wall to give the Vikings their seventh and final run. The bullpen held their own going three innings allowing no runs and keeping Solano at bay.
All in all a good day for the Viking offense and although there were three errors the defense was solid. “We have good starters, deep bullpen and a defense to back them up, and our offense is more promising than last years,” said first baseman Cameron Merriwether. “I think we’re pretty set in all aspects of the game.” When asked how the win set the tone for the season, Cameron said ” It’s the right way to start the season off, but that doesn’t mean that the next couple of games are going to have the same outcome. We just have to play our game and the rest will take care of itself.”
With a new coach and new players the Vikings can go nowhere but up and look forward to a fun, competitive season.
