Sports : \'Play Ball!\' Vikings, Vikettes begin 2013 season

Luke Moen started the opening game for the Vikings.

Touch 'em all: Josh Ferguson hits the Vikings first home run Tuesday in Vinton. The Vikes lost, 9-8.

Josh Ferguson smiles as he rounds third headed for home after hitting the ball over the fence.

Coach Jim Struve, approaching his 500th win, speaks with umpires before the game.

Logan Davis awaits a pick-off throw from Luke Moen.

Devon Ankney enters the field during pre-game introductions.

Senior Maddy Cornell struck out nine and allowed no earned runs in Vikette opener Tuesday evening.

Teammates share high fives with Sydney Robertson as she is introduced.

First baseman Ashley McKenna retires a runner.

Good eye: Bethany Stainbrook takes a high pitch for a ball in season opener.

Teamwork: Vikette infielders adjust to put out a Belle Plaine batter.

Good eye: Bethany Stainbrook takes a high pitch for a ball in season opener.

The high school soccer players and golfers put away their clubs and plastic cleats and traded their spheroids and gloves and footwear for those of a different type.

Baseball and softball season is under way.

Both the Vikings and Vikettes opened the season with home games. The Vikings were down by five to S. Tama, but rallied in the last two innings to cut the deficit to one. Yet, they lost, 9-8, leaving Coach Jim Struve at 496 wins, delaying for one more game the celebration of Coach Struve entrance into the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association "500 Club."

Senior Josh Ferguson had tied the game at 4 with a solo home run to center field, the team's first of the season.

The Vikings travel to Le Grand tomorrow to play East Marshall, then host Independence on Thursday.

Vikettes begin with wins

The softball team had a happier beginning to their season; the Vikings opened with JV and varsity wins over Belle Plaine.

The Varsity won, 8-1.

Sophomore Sydney Robertson, fresh from the State Track meet, led the Vikettes with three hits and three runs scored. Junior Ashley McKenna drove in four runs and senior Devon Ankney recorded three stolen bases

Maddie Cornwell was the winning pitcher for the Vikettes. She pitched a complete game, striking out nine and gave up just two hits and no earned runs.

See complete VS/BP softball stats HERE.

In the JV game, freshman pitcher Anna Sagan got the win, as her teammates built up a 12-1 lead by the third inning. Despite a BP rally, the Vikettes held on for the win, 14-7.