Long ball lifts Cape baseball over Polytech
The Cape baseball squad went yard three times in a 12-2 six-inning victory over Polytech May 2 at Chris Short Field.
The Vikings outhit the Panthers 11-3.
Brian Fleming slugged a grand slam and single, collecting five RBIs. Not to be outdone at the plate, third baseman Lex Wescott hit a homer, double and single en route to a five-RBI game. Gage Joseph went 2-for-4 with a home run in the sixth inning.
“I was hunting fastballs the whole game,” said Wescott, who hit three-quarters of a cycle with a single, double and homer. “I tried to get it early in the count and hit line drives.”
Isaac Terhune, Trey Hitchcock, Jase Mitchell and Jaxon Clampitt all garnered hits in the contest.
“The baseball was flying,” said coach Ben Evick. “We hit three home runs. Everyone is finding the barrel and taking good at bats.”
Reed Thompson went the distance on the mound, scattering three hits, allowing two runs and striking out six batters for his fifth win of the season.
“My off-speed was working for me today at the start,” said Thompson. “I was pounding the zone early, and later on, my mechanics weren’t that good. I came back after fixing my mechanics and threw the two-seam a lot and it worked, and I added my changeup into that. It definitely takes the pressure off you when you have players that can hit from one through nine behind you.”
Asher Grubb led Polytech going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Vikings slay Sallies
The Vikings went on the road May 4 to take on Salesianum, quieting the Sallies faithful with a 9-2 win.
Joseph, Wescott and Fleming continued to pound the ball, as Joseph went 3-for-4 with a doubles and three RBIs, while Wescott and Fleming each knocked hits in the win.
“The bats were alive and well,” said Evick. “We loaded the bases in the first inning but couldn’t plate a run due to hitting balls hard right at people. Everything we hit was hit hard throughout the game, and we kept the pressure on. Brad [Marks] threw very well, keeping their guys guessing, and pitching out of jams.”
The Vikings had 11 hits as a team.
Hitchcock, Brad Kosc, Mitchell and Terhune each collected hits. Freshman designated hitter Aaden Johnson took one for the team.
Junior pitcher Brad Marks picked up his sixth win of the season, going 5.2 innings with six strikeouts.
Jacob Smith made his 10th appearance of the season from the bullpen, shutting Sallies down for 1.1 innings. He continues to have a 0.00 ERA for the season.
“Jacob has been unreal,” said Evick.
The 14-2 Vikings play host to Saint Mark’s Saturday, May 11, then finish up the regular season at Delmar Tuesday, May 14.
