Senior Matt Saling stares down the batter. (Sarah Neltner’20/Media staff)

The CA baseball team captured its first district title since 2004 with incredible wins against Johnstown-Monroe and Northridge.

The #12 seed Vikes traveled to Beavers Field in Lancaster on Tuesday, May 15, ready to battle #9 seed Johnstown-Monroe in the district semifinals. Sophomore Noah Glimcher took the hill and shut down the Johnnies’ offense, dealing a complete game two-hitter. At the plate, senior Ryan Mitchell tagged multiple key hits to help seal a 4-0 win for Academy.

The Vikings then hit the road on Wednesday, May 16, to clash with #4 seed Northridge at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Junior Hayden Compton delivered another masterful performance on the mound, allowing just two runs in six innings of work. 

CA held a one-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Northridge wouldn’t make things easy. Compton got himself into a bases-loaded, no-out jam, so senior Matt Saling took over on the rubber. 

With immortality hanging in the balance, Saling needed just five pitches to slam the door on a possible comeback. The underdog Vikes rejoiced, as the 3-2 victory completed their improbable journey to a district title.

Academy has had an magical postseason, but its run is not over yet. The Vikings will take on Archbold in the regional semifinals at Ed Sandy Field in Elida on Thursday, May 24. A date with either Coldwater or Edison awaits the winner at the same location on Friday, May 25.