June 15, 2017 at 8:56 a.m.
Vikings whip Barneveld to advance
Strommen's ballclub received stellar pitching from sophomore righthander Carter Ruegsegger who hurled just five innings (the game was cut short via the WIAA's 'mercy rule') and who allowed four hits while fanning eight and walking none.
While at the plate, the ultra-productive Vikings made hay from the get-go, scoring 11 first inning runs before adding six more tallies in the bottom of the third inning.
In total, Strommen's offense banged out 17 runs and they also took advantage of pair of costly first inning errors committed by Eagles infielders.
"Everybody in our line-up today had at least one hit and six guys had at least two hits," remarked Strommen, following the contest. "The key was that first inning after playing sound defense and setting them (Barneveld) down in the top of the first. They (Barneveld) helped us some with the early errors, but after that, we simply put together a lot of good quality at bats and swung at good pitches."
Presly Hauser was 2x2 with an RBI, A.J. Hendrickson was 2x2 with a double and a RBI, Cory Linder was 2x4 with a double and with three RBIs, Ruegsegger was 2x2 with a double and two RBIs, Jake Dearth was 2x4 with a pair of two-baggers and four RBIs, Dakota Conwell was 2x2, Logan Green had a single and a RBI, Evan Prust belted a double and finished with two RBIs and Colton Schraepfer added a single and he also drove in a pair.
The 11 runs in the first inning was highlighted by 2-run doubles by Ruegsegger and Prust, by RBI doubles from Hendrickson, Linder and Dearth and by RBI singles from Green and Hauser.
"We had struggled some in our hitting just recently in games, so it was good to see some consistent run production and on the defensive side, Carter's pitching was superb - working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. He (Carter) was very efficient with his pitches today and did a nice job getting his curveball over for strikes."
The Vikings also had won last year's 2016 D-4 WIAA Regional Baseball Championship - so to hoist the championship plaque at McKellar Park was a repeat effort for nearly the entire roster
Pecatonica's win catapulted the team to the WIAA Sectional hosted at Barneveld High School Tuesday (June 6) and featuring Oakfield, Rosholt, Johnson Creek and Pecatonica.
Winners in the WIAA D-4 Sectionals from around the state will advance and will play in back-to-back WIAA State Tournament semi-final games at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 14.
