Winter Haven, Fla. – The Vikings were able to get another win today during spring training, this time against Beloit of Wisconsin. Bethany Lutheran took the lead immediately in the first inning, but it was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth for an exciting finish.

The first runs of the game came when right fielder Zach Herd (Gaylord, Minn./Simley East) singled to the shortstop. Aaron Siefken (Lone Rock, Iowa/Iowa Central CC), who was covering first base, doubled to right center batting in Herd who quickly danced through three bases. After a fly out, the Vikings starting pitcher Darin Hendley (Nicollet, Minn./Mankato East) hit a deep double to center field batting in Siefken. Siefken also hit a sacrifice fly in the third inning to make the score 3-0.

On the mound, Hendley pitched 6.2 innings giving up seven hits while facing 30 batters. He recorded five strikeouts and allowed two runs before sitting down to give Phillip Wessberg (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) a try. Wessberg pitched one full inning and after giving up a run was replaced by Sam Stier (Austin, Minn./Pacelli) who closed out the game for the Vikings. Stier remained solid despite the pressure of a tied ballgame and earned the win.

The game was locked until the bottom of the ninth when the Vikings were able to get in the heads of their opponent and put something together. Hendley, who after pitching remained at the DH position, got things started with a single, Stier replaced him as a pinch runner. Next in the lineup Travis Fisher (Cedar, Minn./St. Francis) reached on a single advancing Stier to scoring position. With runners on first and second Dylan Gass (Bird Island, Minn./BOLD) was intentionally walked. With one out on the board, all pinch hitter Jeremy Bade (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley) needed to do was put the ball in play. Instead, the Beloit pitcher balked advancing the runners and giving the Vikings the 4-3 win.

Bethany Lutheran will play again tomorrow against Bridgewater of Virginia. The nine inning game will begin at 3 p.m.