This Saturday, the baseball team opened its season with a resounding win, defeating Quince Orchard, 11-2.

The game didn’t start of quite as planned. In the top of the first inning, some sloppy fielding led to an early run for the Cougars.

With timely hitting and plate discipline, the Vikes’ batters started the game hot, putting the early mistakes behind them. Every batter got on base and scored as the Vikings put up nine runs in the bottom of the first inning.

The eight run lead after the first inning would be enough for the Vikes’ pitchers. The Cougars only could muster four hits off of Max Palermo and Alex Cladouhos.

The Vikings had a strong balance between their veterans and their newcomers during the game. Seniors like second baseman Ben Castegnetti and catcher Max Vogel, who each had a double, played well. On the other side of the age spectrum, sophomore DH Sean Cook went three for four and Palermo, also a sophomore, pitched the first four innings and didn’t give up an earned run.

Cladouhous started the games for the Vikes and gave up one run and struck out four in three innings.

The Vikings also played with a chip on their shoulder.

“After the Gazette put us down we played like we had something to prove,” Vogel said. “So our pitchers were sharp and our offense tore the cover off the ball.”

Because of the snow and a wet field at home in Bethesda, the teams played at Quince Orchard.  However, the Vikings were still the home team and batted in the bottom halves of the innings.

The Vikes continue their season Monday when they travel to Blake to face the Bengals.