Vikings open 2019 with 4-3 victory over Griffins

Bossier City, LA---On a balmy 40-degree night with a stiff north wind, the Airline Vikings (1-0) scratched out a 4-3 victory over the visiting North Desoto Griffins (0-1). Junior reliever Will Tynes (1-0) picked up the win after tossing three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit, while collecting five strikeouts. Tynes also delivered the game winning run with an RBI single in the bottom of the 5th-inning.

“We are definitely excited! A lot of hard work and preparation all culminates with the most exciting day of the year, opening day! It wasn’t our best, but credit to both teams on a cold night for competing very hard in a tough contest. In the end, we did some little things that proved to be difference in the ball game,” explained Vikings Head Coach Toby Todd.

Vikings starting pitcher Bryson Connell struck out five of the first seven Griffins hitters he faced before allowing a single to Kelton Sepulvado in the top of the 3rd-inning. He later scored after Connell fielded a bunt and made an errant throw to first allowing Brett Remedes to reach second on the play. Remedes scored later in the inning on a two-out wild pitch to tie the score at 2-2.

Sepulvado reached base again in the top of the 5th-inning after a strik- three swinging got away from Vikings senior catcher Hayden Travinski. Sepulvado later scored on an RBI-single to right field by Dalton Hill giving the Griffins a 3-2 lead.

The Vikings responded quickly in the bottom half of the frame as Griffins sophomore reliever Jackson Procell (0-1) hit leadoff man Chris Lutterman and Connell, which was followed by a walk by Travinski to load the bases. Dalton Burrell delivered his second RBI-single of the night to tie the game 3-3, and Tynes drove in what ultimately proved to be the game winning RBI with a line drive single to left field.

“Tonight was a rough night to hit, but we did just enough. On the mound I tried to challenge their hitters and trust my stuff and was happy with the outcome. Any time you can contribute to helping your team win a game, it’s a good feeling, especially on opening day,” commented Tynes.

Offensively for the Vikings, Connell reached base all three at bats and finished the night 1-for-2 with two runs scored. Burrell was a perfect 2-for-2 with a game high two RBI. Tynes was 1-for-2 with an RBi.

“Good teams find ways to win close games. Tonight we did just enough in all phases, but the tarp is on the field because we need every chance we can get to get better this week in preparation for a very good Neville team coming to Bossier this weekend,” concluded Todd.

Airline will host a three game series this week beginning Thursday with Neville High School. Neville defeated crosstown rival Byrd High School 9-3 at Louisiana Tech. First pitch is slated for 6pm, weather permitting. Stay tuned for all news and updates at www.airlinebaseball.org.