Knights sweep past Vikings

John Hoagland/Special to the Daily Mail Senior Drue Hoagland takes ball four in the winning effort against Lakeland last weekend.

Record low temperatures seemed to set the early tone in the Saturday morning doubleheader when the Northeast Vernon County Knights took the field in game one against the Lakeland Vikings on Viking field.

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when both teams warmed up at the plate. Senior Taylor Highfill had a strong outing on the mound, going the distance for the Knights in the 6-5 victory.

It looked as though the Vikings would tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, but the Knights dug deep to hold off the Vikings to seal the victory.

In the second contest of the day, the Knights jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead and never looked back. Senior Mitchell Longstreth also had a strong showing on the mound and showed strength and concentration, when on a least two occasions, he pitched out of a bases loaded jam to hold the Vikings scoreless until late in the game. He pitched a solid seven innings, with the game ending in a 5-2 victory for the Knights.

The Knights had only nine players on Saturday's roster when two junior Knights had previous pre-college obligations on game day. Additionally, freshman Quinton Hays, was injured in practice last week and awaits surgery to repair facial fractures.

Coaches Rick Wagner and David Highfill kept the Knights focused and positive to bring home the two wins.

"We knew it was going to be tough playing two games with only nine guys, but the boys played hard and got some runs to help support a couple of (well) pitched games," coach Highfill said.

A doubleheader rematch is scheduled for Sept. 27, on the Knights' home field.