Valley Rallies, Knocks Off EaglesAKRON- After digging themselves into an early hole, Tippecanoe Valley baseball recovered to upend Culver Academy 11-4. Despite trailing 3-0 in the first inning, the Vikings pieced together an 11-1 run to take the game.
Culver controlled the game early, loading the bases with their first three at-bats. They were able to score two runs on a Viking error, with Matthew Regan and Nathan Lukac reaching home. Mark Siedentopf also scored on an error, then pitcher Ethan Yates delivered back-to-back strikeouts to close the inning. Yates finished with four strikeouts and allowed five hits for only one earned run.
Yates got the start, but Harry Johnston earned the win. In his effort out of the bullpen, Johnston allowed only four hits in two innings while walking one and striking out two. Freshman Braxton Davis got the save, holding Culver to two hits in the final inning.
Tippecanoe Valley’s offense complemented the pitching with an efficient, balanced attack. Sopho-more Tanner Trippiedi went three for three at the plate, scoring on all three hits and driving in two additional runs. Senior third baseman Wes Melanson also recorded two RBIs for the Vikings. One-RBI performances from Tucker Shull, Jakob Jones and Owen Kirchenstien fueled the rally as well.
After the first inning, Culver Academy struggled to gain momentum. Pitcher Oscar Stuart started for the Eagles, allowing three runs on two hits. Stuart’s aggressive pitching earned him four strikeouts, but he also walked three and hit two Tippecanoe Valley batters. George Boardman took the loss without allowing an earned run, as the Vikings scored three runs off an error in his lone inning at the mound. Matthew Regan allowed four runs in the fifth, while Jaewoo Yoon allowed another in the sixth. In all, Culver’s defense allowed 11 hits and committed four errors.
After scoring three runs off first inning errors, the Eagles could muster only one more run in the final six innings. Nathaniel Posner’s two RBIs led the team. Siedentopf also contributed with an RBI, while Regan and Lukac added two hits apiece.
Tippecanoe Valley improved to 5-3 with the win. With their seventh, they will match their win total from last season. The Vikings have won three of their last four contests under coach Greg Prater.
Tippecanoe Valley (5-3) will try to carry their momentum into a home clash today against Northfield.
