Viking baseball takes game to next level
Vale hosts Clatskanie in first round of playoffs
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
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| Argus observer file photo
The Vale Viking baseball team hopes to continue its torrid run this season with another win. Vale host Clatskanie at 4 p.m. today. |
Vale—The Vale Viking baseball team has cruised through the regular season, amassing an impressive 25-1 record along the way. The only loss the Vikings took was to the 4A Ontario Tigers back on March 22 during the Treasure Valley Invitational. The game went into extra innings before Ontario came away with the 5-4 win.
Vale has been sitting atop the 3A polls for the past few weeks, and it has some quality wins over other teams in the 3A polls. The Vikings defeated Burns, who at the time was ranked No. 1, 2-1 and 3-2. The Vikings also swept the season series against Grant Union, currently ranked fifth.
They also have beaten the current No. 2 3A team, Santiam Christian, 2-1 earlier in the season at the McDonald’s Ice Breaker in Grant Union.
The Viking baseball team will open the 2008 Oregon 3A state playoffs today hosting the Clatskanie Tigers (16-5 overall, 13-2 Lewis & Clark league).
The Tigers come into the tournament at the third seed from the Lewis & Clark league.
Vale head coach Jeff Yraguen said he was surprised the Tigers did not win that league.
“We saw them play in the tournament in John Day. They are a good team,” Yraguen said.
Clatskanie lost to Grant Union twice by a combined score of 20-7 ( 12-1 and 8-6).
Yraguen said his only concern about today’s game is the fact his team has not been in a game for the past week and a half.
“I like the way we look right now, and the layoff does concern me, but this team has found ways to win all year,” Yraguen said.
The Vikings will send their ace Darin Johnson (8-0) to the mound, hoping he will shut down the Tigers early and give the Vikings a chance to put some runs on the board.
This season the Tigers have scored 258 runs and given up 90, while the Vikings have scored 245 runs and given up 52.
The winner of this game will move into the quarterfinals Friday where they will play either Gold Beach (12-15 overall, 7-5 league), the No. 3 seed from the Sunset League, or the No. 6-ranked Westside Christian (18-3 overall, 15-1 league), the No. 1 seed from the West Valley League.
“I also want to congratulate Fruitland for winning their state championship,” Yraguen said.
Jason wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:03 PM: