Entering its final week of the regular season, the Vikes traveled to Grandview Heights to battle the Bobcats on Monday, May 1. 

It was a defensive game, but thanks to a fantastic performance on the mound from senior Nick Stringer, Academy came out on top. Stringer finished with the complete game, no-hitter to help the Vikings earn their first victory of the week, 1-0. 

On Tuesday, May 2, the Vikings played Watterson at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio. The Vikings trailed by one late in the game; however, Watterson delivered a final blow by scoring three runs in the sixth inning. Academy suffered the loss 9-5.

On Wednesday, May 3, Academy took on London on the Vikings’ Senior Night. 

Sophomore Hayden Compton handled the pitching duties. He threw six innings, surrendering only two hits and three runs while striking out nine. The Vikes exploded on offense, totaling eleven hits throughout the game. Senior Matt Schmitz and juniors Ryan Mitchell and Davis Friedman each had multiple hits, leading to a 9-3 victory.

On Friday, May 5, Academy played its final game against rival Bexley. Junior Matt Saling pitched extremely well, getting out of various jams in the early innings against the Lions. Down by three in the fourth inning, the Vikings took advantage of multiple walks by the Bexley. Base hits by sophomores Nick Rothmann and Evan Scott helped Academy grab the 4-3 lead. That was the end of the game, however, as Bexley called the game due to rain and darkness with one out in top half of the fourth inning. 

The state tournament kicks off Monday, May 8, with the Vikings going to Fairbanks in a rematch of last year’s district semi-final.