Sunday 25th June 2023

Hunts Pond Road

The Portsmouth Pirates visited a very hot, but blustery Hunts Pond Road seeking treasure and plunder, but we're turned away at the shores as the Vikings took a 28-13 victory.

An even start to the contest saw both teams trade 4 runs apiece in the first. Some good defence limited the Pirates to a single score in the top of the second before first baseman Andi Bambeck and extra batter Doug Sutherland both hit two-run homers, with short stop Tom Stamper also scoring a two-run triple in a 9-run inning.

The wind died down, and left both teams with nothing in their sails as both went scoreless in the third despite both teams loading the bases.

An explosion of runs in the top of the fourth, including a grand-slam homer from opposition pitcher Kevin Lambe brough the Pirates level at 13-13.

The Vikings responded with a volley of their own, running in 9 runs on the back of another Home Run from Doug Sutherland and a two-run single from Owen Maynard to extend the lead to 22-13.

Some good pitching and defence behind Paul Windmill (2-0 pitching record this year) shut out the Purates in the top of the 5th. This opened the door for a potential runs-ahead victory.

Consistent hitting pushed people round the bases as Maria Ward scored her first RBI of her career and Vikings veteran 2B Dawn Lee ultimately allowing the winning run to cross the plate and a 15 runs-ahead victory sealed after 5 innings.