Junior Nick Rothmann throws out the runner at first. (Riley Hennessy’20/Media staff)
It was another busy week on the diamond for the CA baseball squad, and the Vikes secured three victories in five games.
The boys started off the week on Wednesday, April 25, as they traveled to Grandview Heights. Senior Matt Saling took the mound,and pitched well yet again. Academy held its own, but the Bobcats squeaked out a 5-4 win.
The Vikings then went to Berne Union on Thursday, April 26 to take on a top team in Division 4. It was one of CA’s best performances of the year, as the Vikes cruised to an 8-2 victory. Junior Hayden Compton delivered a lights-out performance, throwing a complete game and allowing just one earned run.
On Friday, April 27, Academy had its opportunity for revenge, as the Vikings faced off against the Grandview Heights again, this time at home. Both teams were slugging the ball, and the high-scoring contest was tied late. In the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore Mitch Priest stepped up to the plate with an opportunity to end it. He blistered a line drive to left field, securing the walk-off win for CA, 8-7.
Though exhausted from the rigorous schedule, the Vikes were ready for their road doubleheader against a talented Buckeye Valley squad on Saturday, April 28.
Priest was the hero for Academy once again in game one. He pitched a complete game, silencing the Barons’ bats in a 3-2 victory.
The Vikings carried their momentum into game two. It was a back-and-forth contest, with Buckeye Valley getting the last laugh. The Barons won on a walk-off hit, ending CA’s hopes for a sweep.
The boys are looking to get back in the win column when they travel to Whitehall on Monday, April 30, before playing the Rams again on Wednesday, May 2 at home.