Viking Cody Pierce lines one back up the middle in District 9-A action against Eagleville. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

The Community Vikings continued a familiar trend against District 9-A foe Eagleville by playing well in the first half of the game, then allowing errors and mental mistakes to overshadow the positives in a 10-2 home loss.

Junior Chris West took the hill for the Vikes and produced a quality start by going five innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs.

Eagleville center fielder James Blackwell proved to be the Viking right-hander's toughest out as he registered three hits and scored two runs to go along with two RBIs.

Community (3-7, 2-6 9-A) had seven hits to eight for their opponent but stranded 10 runners as a testament to their lack of a timely hit off of Eagleville starter Jim Edwards, who had solid defensive support from his fielders.

The Vikings were a little more generous to their Rutherford County neighbors by committing six errors that led to six unearned runs, saddling West with the loss and ensuring a regular season series sweep by the visitors.

"I know that I sound like a broken record but it really does come down to making plays behind our pitchers," Community coach Josh Burrahm said. "We are just not a very sound fundamental baseball team right now and it shows."

Michael Smith led the Viking offensive effort with two hits, including a double to drive in a run. Kelby Demonbreum added a double and an RBI in his only plate appearance and Kerry Breshears had a pinch hit single and scored a run in the final inning.

Demonbreum relieved West in the fifth and allowed two hits while striking out two and hitting a batter over two innings.

Kyle Taylor made his only hit count as he blasted a three-run shot off of a West offering in the third inning to put the Eagles ahead for good.

"We have four games coming up in three days and we have a chance to turn our season around in those games," Burrahm said. "It will be a good test to see if our kids are ready for the challenge."

Community welcomes Huntland on Thursday at 5.