Vikings explode
past ‘Dogs 11-5

ST. PAULS - Austin Lee provided some strong relief pitching and Jared Stephens’ RBI single ignited a seven-run sixth inning Tuesday as the visiting West Columbus Vikings battled from behind to clam an 11-5 baseball victory over Southeastern Conference opponent St. Pauls.

It was the fourth straight win for Coach Ricky Young’s Vikings, who put their conference record at 6-4 and season record at 9-10. The Vikings are scheduled to play a key game conference game East Bladen tonight at 7.

Lee relieved starter Matthew Russell in the first inning and held St. Pauls to one run and three hits the rest of the way. He struck out 10 batters.

Trailing 4-1 after five innings, West Columbus got its seven-run surge triggered by Stephens’ hit. Ronald Thompson, Adam Hunt and Truman Vereen all had doubles in the comeback.

The Vikings, who defeated South Columbus 8-4 Monday night in a non-conference game, scored three more runs in the top of the seventh inning to put the game out or reach.

A win over East Bladen tonight would give the Vikings the inside track toward gaining the Southeastern Conference’s automatic playoff berth in the upcoming state 1A playoffs.

West Columbus will close out its schedule next week with a non-conference home game with Whiteville on Monday, a conference home game with South Robeson on Tuesday and a non-conference road game with East Columbus on Thursday. All three games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.