Vikings Take Down Buford, Fall to Cheraw in Diamond Challenge

The Latta Vikings took down Buford 6-2 in the first day of the Cheraw Founders FCU Diamond Challenge, but fell to Cheraw 19-6 in the tournament’s championship game.

On Monday, the Vikings faced Buford and took down the Class 2A Yellow Jackets 6-2.

Latta picked up their first run in the bottom of the first and added four more in the third to lead 5-0 until the fifth, where Buford scored their first run. The Viking added one more run in the bottom of the inning to lead 6-1, and Buford scored their only other run in the top of the sixth.

Latta’s John Kever Love picked up the win, pitching six innings and allowing six hits, four walks, and two earned runs, striking out four. Kyle Arrington picked up the save for Latta, pitching one inning and allowing just one hit. Jack Wright took the loss for Buford.

Latta’s River Owens led the Vikings at bat, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Ben Scott went 2-for-3 with a double for the Vikings. Latta had 10 hits and three errors in the game. Buford had seven hits.

On Tuesday, Latta faced the Class 2A Cheraw Braves in the tournament’s championship game and fell 19-6 in six innings.

Cheraw started the game with five runs in the top of the first inning, but Latta tied things up in bottom of the second with five runs of their own. But the Braves brought in seven runners in the third to take a 12-5 lead. Latta held Cheraw off in the fourth while adding one run to trail 12-6, but the Braves scored another run in the fifth and then capped the win with six runs in the final inning.

Mikal Cue picked up the win for Cheraw, pitching three innings and allowing just one run. Jeremy Jenkins took the loss for Latta.

Latta had four hits and six errors in the game. Cheraw had 13 hits and one error.

At bat for the Braves, Garrett White went 3-for-4 with an RBI; Zack Keefe went 2-for-3 with three RBIs; Cameron Eddins went 2-for-3 with two RBIs; Jamie Davis went 2-for-3 with three RBIs; and Winston Martin went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Vikings are now 11-4 overall and 5-2 in Region 8A. Cheraw is now 9-4 overall.

Latta returns to regular season action on Tuesday, April 10, at Green Sea Floyds at 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, they’ll be at Hannah-Pamplico at 7:00 p.m. The Vikings return home to host Carvers Bay on Monday, April 16, and Hemingway on Tuesday, April 17. Both games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m., so make plans to attend to support our local team!

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