Latta’s #14 John Kever Love at bat for the VIkings. Love picked up a two-run double in the fifth inning to give Latta the win. (Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD.)
Lake View got on the board first, loading the bases in the top of the second and scoring three runs. Lake View’s Weston Rogers didn’t allow a single hit until the fifth inning, when Latta’s Jackson Williams and John Kever Love got Latta’s only hits of the game.
Latta’s Christian Hendrix got to base on a hit by pitch in the fifth and Rogers walked Josh Bowen, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch to put them in scoring position. Williams singled to the left to score them both and put Latta on the board, trailing 3-2. With two outs, Latta’s Donell Stanley took an intentional walk to put runners on first and second, and Lake View brought in Hunter Walters to relieve Rogers on the mound. Love hit a double off a fastball from Walters to give Latta the 4-3 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Lake View got into position to tie things up but couldn’t cross the plate. Rogers Scott got to base on a walk and Chris Ford singled, and both advanced on a fly to right. A wild pitch from Travis Power allowed Scott an opportunity to score, but he got caught in a rundown and was tagged out by Love for the third out.
Travis Power earned the win on the mound and John Kever Love got the save for Latta. Love and Jackson Williams had Latta’s only hits in the win.
Chris Ford had three hits and a RBI for Lake View, and Nate Lewis singled for a RBI. The Wild Gators left nine runners on base.
The Vikings advanced to the lower state championship game on Friday with a 21-2 record.
The Wild Gators fall to 20-4, with three of those losses coming from Latta. Lake View was scheduled to host Johnsonville on Wednesday night to determine who will play the Vikings on Friday for the lower state title and a shot at the state title.
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click images below to view at full size!
