NEIC rivals split two hard-fought games

By Logan Manderfield

Delivering a pitch during one of his 6-1/3 innings on the mound for the Vikes in Landon Kuennen. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Terpstra/New Hampton Tribune)

The Decorah Vikings (16-13, 11-9 NEIC) played the New Hampton Chickasaws (21-9, 13-7 NEIC) for the last two conference games of the season. Both games were close contests, with both teams adding a victory to the win column.
Both teams scored one run in the first inning of the game. Both teams were unable to score until the Vikings went on a tear at the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs and giving them a 5-1 lead. The Chickasaws closed the gap to just two runs after scoring one run at the top of the fifth inning and another run at the top of the sixth inning. Both teams would be shutout in the seventh inning, giving Decorah a small, two run victory over New Hampton.
Sophomore pitcher Kaden Alstad of Decorah was awarded the victory after pitching the first five innings of the game, racking up eight strikeouts. Alstad, along with junior catcher Caleb Meyer, also led the Vikings with two hits.
In game two, the Vikings jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at the bottom of the second inning. However, the Chickasaws would respond at the top of the third inning, crossing the plate three times and giving them a 3-1 lead. The Vikings were able to cut New Hampton’s lead in half at the bottom of the same inning, making the score 3-2. Both teams would be unable to score over the next three innings, until the Chickasaws finally broke through and scored two runs at the top of the seventh inning. Decorah was unable to respond at the bottom of the inning, giving New Hampton a 5-2 victory.
Junior pitcher Landon Kuennen of Decorah, though only giving up one earned run, was credited with the loss. Junior shortstop Brayden Hartl led the Vikings’ offense with two hits and a walk.
Decorah hosted Linn-Mar Wednesday. Friday, June 30, the Vikes will travel to Manchester for a junior varsity/varsity doubleheader against West Delaware with a 5 p.m. start. Then they are off until Wednesday, July 5, when they host Waterloo West for the final game of the regular season.

NH  1 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 2 3
Dec 1 0 4 0 0 0 x 5 6 1
Kaden Alstad (WP) – 5IP, 3R, 2H, 5BB, 8K; Cash Riehle (RP) – 1IP; Ethan Holthaus (Save) – 1IP, 2BB, 2K
3B – Holthaus 1; 2B – Alstad 1; 1B – Caleb Meyer 2; Cade Olson 1; Alstad 1; RBI – Meyer 2; Holthaus 2; Casey Brickley 1

NH  0 0 3 0 0 0 2 5 6 2
Dec 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 6 1
Landon Kuennen (LP) – 6-1/3IP, 4R, 5H, 3BB, 4K; Mason Avila (RP) – 2/3IP, 1R, 1H, 2BB, 1K
1B – Brayden Hartl 2; Alstad 2; Holthaus 1; Ben Wymer 1; RBI – Wymer 1

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