The Latta Vikings slipped on Thursday, April 14, as they fell to the Johnsonville Flashes 7-2. But they were back to form on Friday with a 19-1 win over Hemingway.
On Thursday, five errors from Latta gave Johnsonville the opportunity to take a 7-0 lead in the first inning. Latta managed two runs in the third, but neither team could muster another run before the seventh.
The winning pitcher was Johnsonville’s Linc Powell, who allowed only two hits, two runs, and seven walks, striking out five Vikings over seven innings.
John Kever Love took the loss for Latta with one inning pitched for four hits, seven runs, four earned runs, and a walk.
Colin Barnhill and Zac Phillips each went 2-for-4.
On Friday, Latta was back to form with a 19-1 win over the Hemingway Tigers.
The Vikings scored nine runs in the first inning and 10 more in the second for the win. Hemingway scored their only run in the second.
Kyle Arrington as the winning pitcher for Latta, pitching all five innings for only two hits, one earned run, and one walk, striking out eight. G. Eaddy was the losing pitcher for Hemingway, appearing in three innings for 13 hits, 10 runs, nine earned runs, and two walks, striking out one.
The leading hitters for Latta included Josh Bowens, 2-for-3 with two runs scored; Buck Terry, 2-for-4 with two runs scored; J.R. Rich, 2-for-4 with three runs scored; and Brandon Lane, 2-for-3 with runs scored.
Latta’s record is now 15-5 overall and 8-3 in Region 8-A.
Tonight, the Vikings will travel to Lake View for the second matchup of the season against their region rivals, the Wild Gators. The Gators were responsible for Latta’s only other region loss, an 11-2 defeat on March 25. Be sure to come out and support our local teams!
