Vikes pull off seventh-inning win over Bucs | Baseball

The North Kitsap Vikings were down 4-3 in the top of the seventh when Leif Klinger stepped up to the plate April 15.

KINGSTON — The North Kitsap Vikings were down 4-3 in the top of the seventh when Leif Klinger stepped up to the plate April 15.

Trailing by one, the Vikings’ varsity team was running down on its chance to catch up with the Kingston Buccaneers. The team needed at least one to stay alive against their rivals.

Kingston’s Beau Rabedeaux, who pitched the entire game, was on the mound. The senior pitcher — he will play for the Jamestown Jimmies at the University of Jamestown next year — struck out seven in the first five innings.

Despite being up against Rabedeaux’s pitch, Klinger was able to connect. The hit into the outfield sent Connor Green and Nate Marcelino home. The Vikes were up 5-4 in a game that changed hands as many times as the Vikings scored. Though the Bucs had one more inning to redeem themselves in the bottom of the seventh, they were unable to.

The win boosts the Vike’s record to 6-2, tying them for first place in the Olympic League with the Sequim Wolves and Olympic Trojans.

Along with Klinger’s winning hit, Adam Lemmon sent in two runs and earned a run himself. Brady Brann earned one RBI.

Kingston’s Cole Rabedeaux earned two RBIs in the evening. Ryan Daniels had one.

The Vikings are scheduled to host Port Townsend, April 16. Start time is 4:15 p.m. They travel to play Stadium at Heidelberg Park April 18 at 3:45 p.m. They are back home April 21 to host the Wolves and April 23 to host the Bucs.

The Bucs are scheduled to host the North Mason Bulldogs, April 16. Start time is 4:15 p.m.

The Bucs (2-5) host the Wolves April 18, and Port Townsend, April 21. They are back on the road April 23, when they play the Vikings again.

KHS against NK April 15

NK 100 002 2 — 5
KHS 200 002 0 — 4

NK at bat: Leif Klinger, 2 hits, run, 2RBI; Nate McCown, hit; Kole Milyard, run; Adam Lemmon, 2 hits, run, 2RBI; Brady Brann, hit, RBI; Connor Green, 2 hits, run; Will Ekin, hit; Nate Marcelino, run.

NK pitching: Andrew Hecker, 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 errors, 2 walks, 11 SO; Max Teising (W), 1 hit, 1 walk; Chase Bauer (S).

KHS at bat: Michael Hendriks, run; Beau Rabedeaux, run, 3 hits; Tyler Shuey, run; Cole Rabedeaux, hit, 2RBI; Carter Draper, hit, run; Ryan Daniels, RBI; Andy Crawford, hit.

KHS pitching: Beau Rabedeaux, 9 hits, 5 runs, 4 errors, 2 walks, 7 SO.