It was 4-1 going into the seventh inning and the Vikings let the game get away losing after nine innings 5-4 to the North High Saxons.
Junior Adam Padilla pitched six strong innings for the Vikings – holding the Saxons to just one run. But in the seventh inning the wheels came off the bus. It started with Padilla hitting the lead off batter, the next batter hit a ball deep into right field and senior Abraham Osuna made a great catch for the first out. But then, Padilla walked the next batter and hit another hitter loading the bases. With the bases loaded the Vikings made an error and then a base hit tied the score. Coach Sheldon Philip-Guide brought in junior Johnny Barry with runners on first and third, and he was able to get the last two outs of the inning, but the damage was done. They were even after seven.
“We had so many chances to put them away and we just couldn’t get any of our runners home. It definitely came back to haunt us”, remarked Coach Philp-Guide. There were so many times that we had them on the ropes and we just couldn’t get it done. It’s pretty frustrating when you know you should’ve won to come away with a loss.”
Vikings had runners on base in every inning and in two innings they had the bases loaded and couldn’t get any runners home. After three innings the Vikings had a 4-1 lead and didn’t score any runs the rest of the way.
With the score tied going into the eighth, Coach Sheldon brought in their recent call up from the JV squad, junior Albert Garcia. Garcia came in and pitched well – managing to hold the Saxons to no runs in the eight.
Once again the Vikings were unable to score in their half of the ninth, which set things up for a disappointing ninth. The Saxons got two hits putting runners on first and third and then Garcia’s pitch to the next batter got away from senior catcher, Mitchell Eby and the winning run crossed the plate. It was probably the toughest loss for the Vikings this season because they should’ve won and they couldn’t get it done.
But what’s great about baseball is that they will get another chance today at home against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Game time is 3:15 p.m. at Santa Monica High.
