Vikings on the road at Hale this week

Sophomore righthander Matt Ponik struck out 11 and threw a three-hitter against the Alcona Tigers Monday as Posen rebounded from two losses against Rogers City last Thursday with an 11-1 win. The Vikings played the game in a steady rainfall at the high school field south of Lincoln, and the second game was cancelled. Game one of the scheduled doubleheader lasted only five innings. Ponik improves to 2-1, as Posen?s overall team record evens out at 2-2, with the only losses to the Hurons, 4-2 and 11-2.

THE SEASON now shifts to the all-important North Star League schedule as the Vikings open with a twinbill at Hale today. The games begin at 4 p.m., and after three games of playing in miserable conditions, the weather is supposed to be 20 to 30 degrees warmer with readings expected in the 60s. Coach Pat Kowalski said Ponik has been mixing up his pitches, setting up batters with his fastball and keeping his pitches low in the strike zone.

?The defense played excellent,? said Kowalski. Senior catcher Josh Konieczny had a hit in four at bats and scored four runs. Leading off the game, Konieczny was hit by a pitch, and later came around for the first run. Batting in the number three slot in the lineup, sophomore Nick Goupell belted a triple on a 3-2 count and brought in the second run. Senior J Richards walked to lead off the second inning and stole second but was left stranded at second base.

THE VIKINGS got things rolling again in the top of the third when Konieczny and junior Jesse Romel started the inning with base hits. Both would come around and score. Sophomore Aaron Hincka, hitting behind clean-up batter Ponik, had a base hit and scored on three passed balls by Alcona.

Four runs came in the third and the Vikes continued to pad their lead. Konieczny, Romel, Goupe

ll and Ponik all scored the next inning on only two hits. Ponik had a double and Richards singled. Konieczny went one-for-one with three walks, and scored the final run of the game when he received a base-on-balls on a 3-1 count. He took second on a passed ball and stole third, before coming in. Kowalski was encouraged with the performance against Rogers City.

?We played well,? he said. ?It?s a good gauge for the rest of the season.? The coach said the players are close to their goal of competing with some of the higher caliber ball clubs in the region, especially looking at the 4-2 game against the Hurons.

The next home games are next Wednesday against the St. Ignace Saints.