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The baseball team paired efficient batting with crafty base-running in a 5–2 victory over the Churchill Bulldogs Thursday, raising their record to 4–4.

Most of the Vikings’ offense came in the three-run third inning. Shortstop Ian Atkinson drove in the first run, and two other players scored on Bulldog errors.

The Vikes were patient at the plate, extending at bats to enabling their batting success.

“We made the pitcher throw a lot of pitches and we got to see more fastballs later in the at bats,” third baseman Alex Clark said.

On the mound, pitcher Dylan Hurd carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, ending with one earned run in five innings.

Relief pitcher Max Palermo closed out the game, striking out the Bulldogs’ final two batters with the bases loaded.

The game was also marked by the Vikes’ aggressive base-running. In addition to stolen bases by Atkinson and first baseman Jack Prill, several other players advanced on errors.

The Vikings took bases so often because of their coach’s encouragement and the opposing pitcher’s slow technique, Clark said.

“[Coach] Cassidy has always preached aggressiveness on the base paths,” he said. “We were able to steal on the pitcher fairly easily because of his long wind-up.”

The Vikings will look to reach a winning record for the first time since their opening game when they host the Walter Johnson Wildcats Friday.