Vikings Too Much As Tippy Valley Beats Triton 16-2
April 11, 2023 at 12:13 a.m.
Vikings Too Much As Tippy Valley Beats Triton 16-2
By Connor McCann-
The Viking offense couldn’t have started off any faster, as senior outfielder Hunter Craft singled on the first pitch of the game. A stolen base and a wild pitch later, Craft was standing on third after just two more deliveries from Triton starter Braxton Kaufman. He’d be brought home on a groundout by Valley’s two hitter Noah Prater.
That would just be the beginning of the first inning fireworks as the next batter, senior catcher Annikan Pettit would go deep on the third pitch of his at bat, sending a 2-1 pitch over the centerfield wall for a home run. With two of the team’s first three hitters scoring, the Vikings had full control of the early momentum and seized it, scoring two more in the top of the first to take a quick 4-0 lead.
It would take some time for Triton to find offensive answers of their own, largely because of the terrific effort from Valley starter Markus Bernicky. Bernicky allowed just one baserunner in the first two innings, striking out two in the process. He’d give up just two runs, both unearned in three innings of work.
After an uneventful second frame, the Vikings got back to work on offense in the top of the third. Three of Valley’s first four hitters: Cameron Manuel, Evan Myers and Cody Smith all reached base, with Myers hitting a double for the second extra base hit of the game. All three would come around to score as control issues began to arise for Kaufman. Three of the four runs that would cross the plate in the inning would score as a result of wild pitches. Two more baserunners would get on later in the inning as a result of being hit-by-pitch.
Now trailing by eight, Triton would show some life in the bottom of the third. Getting the first two hitters on as a result of errors by the Valley infield, the Trojans were able to capitalize on the shaky defense as Kaufman and Drew Bingamon hit RBI singles to put Triton on the board.
With his offense beginning to help him out, Kaufman was able to ride the momentum and shut down the Valley offense to the tune of two consecutive 1-2-3 innings.
Despite the only runs he had allowed being unearned, Bernicky would not return for the fourth inning. Instead, it was Prater who took over, picking up where Bernicky left off. He’d throw three more scoreless frames, striking out three in the process.
The Viking offense would come alive again in the sixth and seventh innings, doubling their run total with eight more runs in the two frames. The offensive onslaught was highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Prater and Pettit in the seventh. Both players finished the game with 3 RBI’s, with Pettit finishing his night a triple short of the cycle. Manuel led the team with four runs scored to go with two RBIs.
Kaufman and Bingamon both led the Trojans with two hits and an RBI each. Leadoff hitter Jacob Pitney reached base twice. Tippecanoe Valley hosts Warsaw Wednesday while Triton is off until Thursday when the Trojans host Elkhart Christian Academy.
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The Viking offense couldn’t have started off any faster, as senior outfielder Hunter Craft singled on the first pitch of the game. A stolen base and a wild pitch later, Craft was standing on third after just two more deliveries from Triton starter Braxton Kaufman. He’d be brought home on a groundout by Valley’s two hitter Noah Prater.
That would just be the beginning of the first inning fireworks as the next batter, senior catcher Annikan Pettit would go deep on the third pitch of his at bat, sending a 2-1 pitch over the centerfield wall for a home run. With two of the team’s first three hitters scoring, the Vikings had full control of the early momentum and seized it, scoring two more in the top of the first to take a quick 4-0 lead.
It would take some time for Triton to find offensive answers of their own, largely because of the terrific effort from Valley starter Markus Bernicky. Bernicky allowed just one baserunner in the first two innings, striking out two in the process. He’d give up just two runs, both unearned in three innings of work.
After an uneventful second frame, the Vikings got back to work on offense in the top of the third. Three of Valley’s first four hitters: Cameron Manuel, Evan Myers and Cody Smith all reached base, with Myers hitting a double for the second extra base hit of the game. All three would come around to score as control issues began to arise for Kaufman. Three of the four runs that would cross the plate in the inning would score as a result of wild pitches. Two more baserunners would get on later in the inning as a result of being hit-by-pitch.
Now trailing by eight, Triton would show some life in the bottom of the third. Getting the first two hitters on as a result of errors by the Valley infield, the Trojans were able to capitalize on the shaky defense as Kaufman and Drew Bingamon hit RBI singles to put Triton on the board.
With his offense beginning to help him out, Kaufman was able to ride the momentum and shut down the Valley offense to the tune of two consecutive 1-2-3 innings.
Despite the only runs he had allowed being unearned, Bernicky would not return for the fourth inning. Instead, it was Prater who took over, picking up where Bernicky left off. He’d throw three more scoreless frames, striking out three in the process.
The Viking offense would come alive again in the sixth and seventh innings, doubling their run total with eight more runs in the two frames. The offensive onslaught was highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Prater and Pettit in the seventh. Both players finished the game with 3 RBI’s, with Pettit finishing his night a triple short of the cycle. Manuel led the team with four runs scored to go with two RBIs.
Kaufman and Bingamon both led the Trojans with two hits and an RBI each. Leadoff hitter Jacob Pitney reached base twice. Tippecanoe Valley hosts Warsaw Wednesday while Triton is off until Thursday when the Trojans host Elkhart Christian Academy.
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