Samohi Vikings played a double header against a tough Long Beach Wilson High team on Thursday, March 17. Both games didn’t end well for the Vikings, losing the first game 15-2 and in the second game, though much closer than the score would indicate, lost 7-2.
Senior Brendon Hirschberger pitched the first game for the Vikings and the lefthander had trouble getting outs, giving up at least one run in every inning. The scoring started right away with two runs in the first inning and the Vikings were never in it from the beginnig. The Vikings have been their own worst enemies making errors in the field and not hitting with runners on base.
Coach Philip-Guide who was very disappointed after the double defeat said, “We didn’t do anything well in the first game.” He went on to say that he knows his team can play with any team if they just play the kind of baseball they’re capable of playing.
Senior Andrew Mcritchie pitched well in the second game and the Vikings played better, but they couldn’t hold on. Trailing just 3-2 going into the bottom of the sixth, the Vikings ship sank again, giving up four runs on walks and errors.
“Mcritchie got tired – giving up walks and then there were some bad decisions and the defense let us down again,” remarked a frustrated and dejected Coach Philip-Guide. When asked if there was anything worth mentioning about the game he pointed out an excellent double play that was turned by sophomore third baseman Danny Galvan. The team definitely shows sparks of solid play at times and their potential for playing sound baseball.
But it’s been a tough start to the season for the Samohi Vikings and they are confident that it will get better for them. Hopefully that time will begin this today when the Vikings host Torrance High Tartars in the Redondo Tournament. The game starts at 11 a.m. at Santa Monica High.