The baseball team improved to 8–1 after sweeping Saturday’s doubleheader with victories of 4–1 against the Churchill Bulldogs and 13–3 against the Northwood Gladiators.

While the doubleheader was the first of the season for the Vikings, the squad didn’t change their approach to either game.

“We were just taking one game at a time and not trying to look of one game or the other,” pitcher Tyler Hwang said. “We prepared for both games like we always do and I think that’s a reason we were able to win both games.”

The approach seemed to work, as the Vikes did not trail in either game. The team’s success can largely be traced to an outstanding defensive performance that was prevalent in both contests.

“Pitching and defense really anchored the team,” Hwang said. “We made the plays in the field to limit our opponents from scoring runs.”

In the first game against the Bulldogs, Hwang pitched the entire game, garnering six strikeouts while only allowing one run.

Following a closer game against the Bulldogs, the Vikings closed the day off with a resounding 13–3 victory over the Gladiators.

The Vikes changed up their pitching rotation for the second game against the Gladiators, as the team cycled through pitchers Nathan Haddon, Matt Trant, Tyler DeMartino and Ezra Pine.

Similarly on offense, the Vikings took advantage of their outmatched opponents to let their reserves play.

“Since our second game was against Northwood, the worst team in the league, about half of the players that started were replaced by our second string players,” catcher Robert Kraff said.

The team’s next game is away at Richard Montgomery, Tuesday at 3:45.