Fairfield, CA — On Monday, 3/25 the Vanden JV Vikings were defeated by the Wildcats from Will C. Wood High School by a score of 5-4. This was the first of the 3-game MEL series between the cross-town rivals. The loss drops the Vikings record to 6-4 overall and 3-1 in MEL play. The Vikings let chance, after chance pass them by until there were no more to be given. The Vikings left 6 baserunners in scoring position in the game that was shortened to 6 innings due the time limit rule. This would include leaving runners on 1st & 2nd in the 1st inning with 1 out, a runner left on 3rd base in the 2nd inning, runners left on 1st & 2nd in the 3rd inning with 1 out, a baserunning blunder in the 4th inning with runners on 1st & 2nd, a runner left on 3rd base in the 5th inning & a runner left on 2nd base in the 6th inning. That’s just way too many runners left on base. The Vikings outhit the Wildcats 10-3, but the difference was Vanden pitchers gifted Wood 10 free baserunners via 7 walks and 3 hit batsmen. The Wildcats turned those gifts into runs as 4 of their 5 runs scored reached base by walk. Caiden Hitchcock came in as a relief pitcher in the 4th inning and held the Wildcats at bay for 3 scoreless innings, giving the home team a chance for a come back. He allowed no hits, with 5 strikeouts, 1 walk and 3 hit batters. Offensively, the Vikings had 10 total hits as a team but couldn’t get the one or two clutch hits they needed. There were 3 players with multi-hit games: Gino Scerbo (2 for 3, sac bunt, 1 run scored), Lucky Perez (2 for 3, 1 run scored) & Mateo Gonzalez (2 for 3, 1 RBI). The Vikings return to game action on Wednesday, 3/27 when they travel to Wood for game 2 of the series.