11/11/2024
Poughkeepsie Vikings Walk-Off In Nail-Biter Against Cortlandt Nationals brings home League Championship Game win
The Poughkeepsie Vikings took Sunday's championship game in dramatic fashion, with a 7-6 walk-off victory over Cortlandt Nationals. The game was tied at six in the bottom of the seventh when Avery C singled to right field scoring one run and nailing down the biggest win in Vikings history.
The Poughkeepsie Vikings built a 4-run lead in the first inning and then held off Cortlandt Nationals charge. Cortlandt closed the gap by scoring on a fielder's choice, a double, a single, a single, and an error.
Cortlandt opened the scoring in the first after Charlie B singled, scoring one run.
The Vikings flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the first, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead, 5-1. The biggest blow in the inning was a blast by Pierce F that drove in two.
The Nationals tied the game in the top of the seventh thanks to a single by B, and an error.
Series MVP Giancarlo R earned the win for the Poughkeepsie Vikings.The hurler gave up two hits and one run (zero earned) over one inning, striking out none and walking none. Giancarlo was able to get the win in 3 of the 4 team playoff victories while batting .777 with 4 RBIs and 7 runs scored en route to securing the MVP title.
Felix P took the loss for Cortlandt Nationals. The pitcher went two-thirds of an inning, surrendering one run on two hits, striking out none and walking one.
Game 3 winner and rotation ace Asher P started the game for the Vikings. The pitcher allowed nine hits and five runs (four earned) over six innings, striking out two and walking one.
Pierce drove the middle of the lineup, leading the team with two runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 2-for-3 on the day. Pierce, Asher and Jeremy A each collected two hits for the Vikings. Asher stole two bases. The Vikings turned one double play in the game, initiated by Mike D.
Cortlandt amassed 11 hits in the game. B provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Cortlandt Nationals 15U with two runs batted in. The number three hitter went 3-for-4 on the day. AJ R collected two hits for Cortlandt in four at bats. Everett S stole two bases.
The Championship win was a true team effort and was a culmination of 6 seasons of hard work for the Poughkeepsie Vikings, an independent youth travel team founded in 2018.
