Sports

After spending the better part of the day clearing gallons of water off of the playing surface at Thole Field, Coach Bari Parrott’s Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes were not about to be denied their prize Monday night, even if it took until Tuesday morning to do it They got it in the form of a sweep of their first WaMaC Conference sweep of the season.

Devotees of soap operas know this story well: The little town in the story has its share of drama over the years, but for the most part they are strong, everyone gets along and they all work together. But then one day, a new family moves into town. There is a strong, dictatorial patriarch, a close sibling who is also an archrival and a couple of annoying hangers-on that just make things difficult.

The third sophomore pitcher of the game threw two scoreless innings to end a four-game losing streak for the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings Friday evening.  Alex Springer entered the game in the sixth inning, making his varsity debut against the Mount Vernon Mustangs. He held them scoreless for two innings, while the Vikings continued their comeback.

The week started well for the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings on the baseball diamond, as they defeated Center Point-Urbana, 12-2, in five innings Monday. But CPU came back to win the next game, 6-3. But on Wednesday night, the Vikes lost two at home to Class 2A Dyersville Beckman, 12-11 and 17-0.  In the second game, the Blazers sent all nine to the plate twice in the third inning, as a combination of hits and errors led to 13 runs.

Today's sports column is especially for the young men and women of Vinton whose games bring their parents to the local ball diamonds, whether its Park and Rec league, the USSSA teams that play at Marvin Lindsey Field, or the high school baseball and softball teams. All of you young players are part of a tradition of baseball that has lasted nearly 150 years.

VINTON – The rollercoaster season for the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes hit what was – hopefully – its low point Wednesday night when the Vikettes were pounded at home by Dyersville Beckman, 8-3. The loss dropped the Vikettes 7-6 on the season, but left them winless (0-4) at Thole Field for season. And it was tough loss, as the Blazers entered the game with a mark of 2-9.

The Vinton 11 & Under Black team took 1st Place at the Marion Indians June Jam Tournament, on June 5th and 6th at Lowe Park. They beat the Mt. Pleasant Panthers in the Championship. MVP's for the tournament were Nathan Struve, Scott Wirth, and William Edwards.   Front Row Left to Right : Coach Andy Smith, Conner Miracle, Connor Bendull, William Edwards, Weston Edwards, Tanner Davis Back Row Left to Right:   Tyler Bartz, Scott Wirth, Cole Smith, Coach Bryan Edwards, Nathan Struve, David Bray, Jared Thompson, Joshua Staab, and Coach Chris Bendull.

The Vinton 12 and Under USSSA baseball team won a tournament over the Memorial Day weekend and is now preparing for the State USSSA tourney in Des Moines the last weekend in June. The team finished second in the Vinton tournament a few weeks ago. In the CR tournament, Nick Hyland and Tyler Stueck were honored as team MVPs. Team

Following a disheartening loss in the nightcap of Monday’s WaMaC Conference doubleheader at Center Point, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes bounced back Tuesday night to sweep a pair from Belle Plaine. The Vikettes dropped Monday’s nightcap, 8-2. They led the game 2-1 going to the bottom of the fifth, but the Stormin’ Pointers came back for two, then blitzed the Vikettes for five in the bottom of the sixth to blow the game open.

Over the years, sisters Liz and Sarah Hill made a lot of history for the Vinton-Shellsburg softball program. Tuesday night, they made a little more.   After four years as teammates for the Vikettes, and one season (so far) as teammates at Mount Mercy College, the Hills -- the daughters of Scott and Vicky Hill of Shellsburg -- were opposite dugouts Monday night as opposing assistant coaches.