Baseball and softball wraps up season

by Jefferson Freeman

Sounder contributor

The Lady Vikings’ softball team finished its regular season at 5-12-1 with a record of 5-8 in league play. Without a district tournament this season the Vikings never got a chance to play for a state tournament bid. They took a huge leap forward compared to last season. With only 2 seniors graduating, next season could be a big one for this team.

The Vikings officially closed the chapter on baseball in 2023. Getting all the way to the state tournament, team members can hold their heads high after a spectacular season.

Entering the tournament as the 10th seed the Vikings of Orcas Island faced the Vikings from Mossyrock. The two schools had previously faced off in basketball with Mossyrock edging out Orcas. The game would be played in Kennewick, Washington with Liberty Christian awaiting the winner.

Joe Stephens would get the start for the Vikings and despite battling through sickness showed up to dominate. The game would turn into a pitching duel as neither side could get runners across the plate. While the Vikings couldn’t get runners aboard, Mossyrock had a bit more luck, but Charles Hill did his best to gun down any threats.

In the sixth innings, the Vikings put together their best chance of the game, as Calder Jones was standing on third with two outs. Eddie Cunnigham hit a chopper to shortstop as Jones went home. Cunningham seemed to beat out the throw that would have given the Vikings the lead, but the umpire had other ideas. Despite what looked like an easy call Cunningham was signaled out and the inning ended. Without the run, the game would remain 0-0 and go to extra innings where Mossyrock would finally score with 2 outs and end the season for Orcas. Stephens threw seven innings of shutout baseball, finishing the season with 23 straight.

The Vikings graduate just two seniors: Matthew Eggenberg and Christopher Mullan, two of their three starting outfielders. Next season will be the make-or-break year for this program, as they will have six players in their final season. The goal from here is to win a championship, and that’s a goal well within reach.