Vikings handed close loss by Culleoka

They say that coming close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The Community Vikings found out for themselves in a 7-6 loss to Culleoka that not only is the old adage true, but that a close loss, particularly this late in the season, can be very hard to swallow.

"We got down early and made a good attempt at coming back," Community coach Josh Burrahm said. "We came up a little short but the kids played hard.

"We missed a couple of real good opportunities to pull out a win but just couldn't get that one hit that we needed."

Culleoka scored two runs in the first inning on Jake Scott's two-run single and added two scores in the second on three hits and a walk.

Kelby Demonbreum walked to lead off the third for the Vikings and Bronson Friedman sacrificed him over to second base.

Michael Smith cut the lead to 3-1 for the Vikings (7-12) with a solid single to center field to score Demonbreum, and he took second on the throw to the plate.

Viking shortstop Cody Pierce's bid to score Smith with a sinking line drive to center field was thwarted on a good running catch by the visiting outfielder.

The Warriors tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning on two hits, two walks and a Viking miscue to push their advantage to 7-1.

Community stormed back when Sammy Bryant worked his way on with a walk, Friedman singled and Michael Smith reached on a fielder's choice. Lance Paschal then walked and Dustin White was plunked by a pitch to force in a run.

Joseph Freebury ripped a line drive into right-center field to score two runs to make the score 7-4.

Chris West stepped to the plate and delivered in the clutch with a hard hit ground ball through the 5-6 hole to plate Paschal and White to cut the lead to 7-6.

The Viking inning ended when they committed one of the cardinal sins in baseball when they had a baserunner thrown out at third on an attempted steal for the third out.

Community loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning with no outs but the threat ended on a double-play ball hit back to the pitcher and a pop fly to the first baseman.

The Vikings stranded 10 baserunners in the contest.

Demonbreum picked up the loss for Community. He threw four innings and allowed five runs. He struck out two and walked four.

Pierce finished it out with three innings of work. He yielded two hits and did not allow a run.

Community takes to the road to play Cornersville today at 6.