AKRON -ÊThe Tippecanoe Valley Vikings went searching for their first Three Rivers Conference win Friday and they received just that. Behind good pitching and timely hitting, the Vikings were able to knock off the Whitko Wildcats 5-3 in weather that was aptly suited for the Hound of the Baskervilles.

A constant drizzle and foggy conditions coupled with U.S Open rough-like outfield grass made for less than optimum conditions for both teams as Valley coach Scott Backus explained, "the conditions were equal for both teams, so there was no advantage. . . but it was hard to keep the balls dry." But Valley must have been more immune to them given the result of the game.

Both teams played to a 0-0 stalemate through the first 5 1/2 innings until Valley was able to open up, what seemed at the time, a comfortable lead of 5-0.

Losing Wildcat pitcher Alan Robbins walked the first two hitters in Valley's half of the sixth, which in any baseball league spells doom. Wes Backus' slow roller to short accounted for an infield hit thus loading the bases for Drew Deardorff. Deardorff promptly singled to left, scoring two and signaling the end of the evening for Robbins.

Valley was able to tack on three more runs off of relief pitcher Ben Ryan when Ryan put out the fire with gasoline by committing an error, walking two, and throwing a wild pitch. B.J. Cunningham closed out the sixth by tripling to the left center gap scoring two more for a 5-0 lead.

Insurmountable right?

Not quite.

Valley winning pitcher Richie Swanson looked to finalize the shutout of the Wildcats in Whitko's half of the seventh but was unable to do so. Swanson appeared to tire in the seventh by allowing three of the first four Whitko runners to reach base. Backus called to the bullpen for southpaw Jeremy Shewman to save the game. As Backus said, "Richie (Swanson) kinda lost it."

Shewman was able to record the final out but not soon enough for Backus.Ê

Shewman uncorked two wild pitches, walked one, and hit another batter setting the situation up for a dramatic finish.Ê With the tying run in scoring position, Shewman struck out Wildcat Justin Juillerat to dot the I's and cross the T's.Ê

The story in this game lies in the ability to hit in clutch situations, a tale of two different cities.Ê Valley was a robust .500 (3 for 6) with runners in scoring position while Whitko was an anemic 0 for 8.

"Generally it's been the other way around. . .we had a talk (before the game) about attitude and I think our heads were finally in the game and they responded," said Backus.

By etching their first TRC win, Valley improved its overall record to 8-11. Valley had been on a recent slide of late by losing their last five dating back to Southwood in extra innings.Ê

With just two weeks until sectional time, both Valley and Whitko have time to fine tune their games until they face each other again; they drew one another in the sectional. [[In-content Ad]]