VIKINGS TAKE THE TEETH OUT OF THE LIONS

EAST PALESTINE OH-  LaBrae kept the bats steady and the arms sharp on Wednesday, shutting out Heartland Christian 7-0 behind a balanced effort on both sides of the ball.

The Vikings didn’t waste time getting on the board, cashing in a run on a passed ball in the second, then adding two more in the third with back-to-back RBI doubles from Austin Rowe and Nathan Goldner.

Rowe got the start and punched out four across two quick innings, giving up just a pair of hits before handing it off to Owen Boone, who slammed the door over the next five. Boone was lights out, striking out six and allowing just two hits and one walk the rest of the way.

LaBrae’s offense never really let up. They piled up 12 hits on the day—Goldner led the charge going 3-for-4, and Rowe drove in a pair while picking up two knocks of his own. Easton Armstrong chipped in with a couple hits and held it down defensively with nine plays in the field.

The Vikings also turned a clean double play and played error-free baseball from start to finish.

Heartland scratched out four hits, but couldn’t find any momentum against LaBrae’s pitching combo. They’ll look to bounce back, while the Vikings gear up for a road test at Struthers on Saturday.