VIKINGS LOOM LARGE OVER LOWELLVILLE

STRUTHERS OH- Sometimes the season is going your way and other times it can be hard.  For the Lowellville Rockets under head coach Dan Dougherty, they came into this game with a record of 3 and 12, but a win could get them some momentum for their last two games of the season against Western Reserve and the Division IV Tournament and senior night.

 

Meanwhile for Waterloo under head coach Joe Perretta they were up and down all season long, either winning big or losing big.  They would also have some of their games moved for cancelled as someone in the facility tested positive for COVID, shutting them down.  This time, they were in need of a win and moving to .500 but it wouldn’t be easy as it was conference Rivalry Matchup time with both team needing momentum.

 

The Vikings got off to a quick start against the Rockets as Noah Huges singled on a 1-1 count with Luke Simons and Tucker Brown heading home making it two runs to nothing.  They would score three more runs in the top of the second as Bobby Makin tripled in a fly ball with Simons getting his second run and Mason Duncan scoring.  Makin would go home then off a single from Brown. 

 

The Rockets would not give up however as Brady Bunofsky singled with Justin Beeson heading home.  After that, there would be some family love when Cole Bunofsky hit a grounder which was an error with his brother Brady scoring, cutting it to a three run game.  

 

However, that was it as the Vikings was just too tough to tame getting three runs in the sixth led by Kyle Werbeck the freshman who did a bunt sending Duncan home, a Werbeck score with an error and then a ground out by Makin which sent Simons home making it 13-4.  

 

The Rockets had one more chance and looked to blast off with a big comeback walk off, but it was too late as Waterloo got everyone out within minutes into the bottom of the second, giving them the 13-4 win.  

 

Devon Beans led the Vikings to the win, surrendering four runs on six hits and striking out three.  

 

Dylan Okular started on the mound for the Rockets, allowing eight runs on seven hits and striking out four Vikings.  He would be pulled later on for Brandon Simmons who then was replaced by Justin Beeson.  

 

Up Next 

Lowellville (3-13) will look to bounce back Wednesday and finish the season off before tournament time as they face another Mahoning Valley Scarlet Division conference rival in Western Reserve (9-6).  Game times are Wednesday at 5pm and Saturday at Cene 2 around 10AM.  

 

Waterloo (6-5) will figure out their schedule but by the looks of it will face the SouthEast Pirates (3-18) Tuesday at 5pm.  

 

*Contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*