Vikings steal a win over Fairview
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
Junior Adam Pieczynski’s double in the bottom of the six inning Monday set up the game-winning run and gave the Vikings (2-4, 1-4) a split with Fairview.
With the score tied at four, Kyle Knopf battled an Eagle pitcher to earn a walk and advanced to third when Pieczynski lined the hardest hit ball of the game over the leftfielder’s head. The next pitch was in the dirt and rolled 10 to 15 feet behind the catcher.
Head coach Pat Kowalski sent the freshman home. He slid in just ahead of the throw and looked up to see home-plate umpire Joe Cercone make the safe call. It was Posen’s first win since the season-opener at Tawas. The final was 5-4.
The Vikings were fighting through a tough spell of injuries and pitching, as well as mistakes in the field. They needed a good performance on the mound, and got it from freshman Matt Delekta. He went all six innings to get his first varsity win, striking out five, walking one and gave up six hits. He had been starting in center field.
“He simply came in and threw strikes,” said Kowalski. “It was nothing fancy. We made some nice defensive plays behind him.” The coach said Delekta earned the start in the next game, which is today (Thursday) hosting Arenac Eastern. The game two probable will be freshman Travis Sharpe who injured his knee at Mio.
The Eagles, who won game one 12-1, fought from behind to tie the game at four apiece with two outs. A nice assist from eighth-grader, center fielder Darren Dubie prevented any further damage. Junior sh
Junior Jaden Styma had his first varsity hit, a double down the right field line.
Dietz struck out seven in the first three innings in game one against Fairview.
Last Thursday against Au Gres, the Vikings were mercied 17-1 in cold, miserable conditions. The second game was suspended with Posen trailing, 12-7, but they were mounting a comeback.
“We’ve been plagued by walks and misplays,” said Kowalski.
“In the first game, we were not making the routine plays, and we were not throwing enough strikes.”
The Vikings travel to Hale on Monday.