Goodman's 2-run single key to victory
In the bottom of the 3rd inning trailing 3-2, with two outs and two runners on base, Viking Freshman Halle Goodman connected for a base hit, scoring both base runners. The hit gave AHSTW their first lead of the game en route to a 11-3 home victory over the St. Albert Saintes.
“It was nice,” Goodman said. “I’ve been kind of struggling hitting, and just to get on and see my runners go in felt nice, and seeing the lead felt nice.”
Vikings head coach Trevor Gipple was proud of Goodman for stepping up in that moment given the tough week she's battled through at the plate.
“She was due to have a game,” Gipple said of Goodman. “She’s been kind of cold throughout the week, but she never gives up on herself. She’s a fighter in there. She was hunting fastballs, she was seeing it well and she was driving the ball for us today.”
Sienna Christian started the day in the circle for the Vikings, going four strong innings. Christian ran into some trouble in the top of the 1st inning, surrendering two runs from the Saintes offense, but settled in nicely after that only giving up one more run in the top of the 3rd inning.
“She’s been throwing good all week,” Gipple said. “She’s coming into her own. I’m just really proud of her. She’s willing to go compete.”
The Vikings got their first runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning which tied the game up at two runs apiece. The Saintes took their lead back in the top of the 3rd inning.
Christian returned to the circle in the top of the 4th inning and did not allow the Saintes to score by having a shutdown inning. Gipple was proud of the way she responded.
“That’s big,” he said. “We really preach momentum back and forth. We try not to ride the rollercoaster. We just try to play in a straight line and shut things down, so it was big for her to come out and do that.”
The Vikings added an insurance run in the bottom of the 5th inning when Goodman delivered at the plate once again, scoring Christian from second base after she was sacrificed on a bunt by Braxton Gipple, giving her team a 5-3 lead.
The Vikings blew the game wide open in the bottom of the 6th scoring six runs. It was a bounce back victory after dropping a close battle with the Audubon Wheelers the night before 4-3.
“We’ve had a couple of hard games this week,” Goodman said. “It feels good to get us going and start a new week.”
The Vikings are back at home Monday night against the 2-10 Tri-Center Trojans, who they beat 13-3 May 25 on the road. The Trojans are led by Hayden Thomas on offense with 14 hits batting .412. Thomas leads them in pitching with two wins and 34 strikeouts. Monday will also be Senior Night, with the Vikings honoring Logan Akers in her final season of softball.
“Tri-Center is a good ball club,” Gipple said. “They’re notorious for getting better every day. It’s senior night. It will be a big night for Logan, big night for the team and we’ll go compete on Monday.”