Wednesay 4th June

Testlands Hub, Southampton

After a surprising defeat to the Solent Seals last week, the Raiders were back on home turf to welcome the Vikings to Testlands.

The Vikings started patiently with three walks drawn in the first 5 batters to set the table for Kathryn Hewson to drive in two with a double. Scott Summers nabbed a 2-out 1-run homer to push the opening salvo to 7 runs.

The Raiders managed to get runners on base all evening, but just could not break any innings open. They scored 3 in response, but it was the Vikings' bats that pushed the game in the away team's favour. Starting again at the top of the order, Darren Davie scored two with his deep blast. Tom Anderson finished off the inning with a 2 run double and managed to sneak home himself on some aggressive running round the bases. 

The Raiders could only muster a single run in response as the 2nd inning ended with the score at 12-4. A quick two outs started the third inning, but if we know anything from the first two games, this hasn't phased the Vikings offensive output so far this season. The lineup rolled around with singles and doubles before Stefan Rudeforth took the bat off his shoulder after drawing two walks in his first two plate appearances to tally a 3-run 2-out home run as the Vikings added another 5 to the scorecard. 

The Raiders managed to get 4 across (or was that 3?) in the bottom of the third as the visitors held a 9-run lead.

A quicker and quieter 4th inning only saw 2 runs. Another solo home run from captain Scott Summers and a double from Darren Davie to push pitcher Owen Maynard in. The Raiders managed to get base-runners, but patient defence stranded them all to not trouble to scorers.

An RBI triple from Tom Anderson left him with only the Home Run to get for the cycle as Phoebe Chapman scored an RBI on debut followed by a Dawn Lee RBI on a fielder's choice to increase the score further to 22-8.

With the mercy-rule not yet in effect, the Raiders again were left frustrated with runners stranded on base. Only a solitary run allowed.

Then somehow the bats took off for the Vikings. Three singles, two doubles, a triple and a fielding error all saw 5 runs come home before the first out was made - a sacrifice fly to feep right field to score the 6th run. This was quickly followed by a 3-run homer from Owen Maynard, three more singles and a double before another big fly out for the second out. Thankfully, Tom Anderson got a second at-bat in the inning, and he did not need asking twice. He secured the cycle for the game with a 2-run shot. A total of 15 runs scored in the top of the 6th to double to lead to 37-9. With lots of runs to play with defence allowed 4 runs to come home before a chopper back to the pitcher sealed the final out as the mercy-rule was enforced with the score at 37-13.

The Vikings take on the Hurricanes next Wednesday with the top spot in the division up for grabs.