Vikings squeak by Cavaliers
April 1, 2008 • Baseball
From Staff Reports

Spring Valley's winning pitcher and player of the game, Jake Zokan.

Jake Zokan (3- 3) pitched a complete game allowing just three hits and one run to lead the Spring Valley Vikings passed the visiting rival Richland Northeast Cavaliers 2- 1 Tuesday, April 1.

The Cavaliers did all their damage in the first inning when Keney Upshaw's single to centerfield scored Dominique Albert from third base. After that, Zokan completely shut down Richland Northeast. Only Upshaw would get another hit which came in the fourth inning. The rest of the Cavaliers went a combined 1- for- 21 striking out seven times.

The Vikings didn't have much luck offensively either. Richland Northeast used four pitchers as David Greene, Brett Fulmer, Ryan Mercer, and Upshaw combined for a two hit, two run, four strikeout performance.

Spring Valley's Jeremiah Jackson reached third base on two Cavalier errors in the third inning, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Rob Harding.

In the fifth inning facing Fulmer, Jackson reached first on a walk, then advanced to second when Harding was hit by a pitch. Andrew McClosky moved Jackson and Harding to third and second respectively with a sacrifice bunt. Zokan was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cavalier coach Thane Mannes brought in Mercer to relieve Fulmer. Mercer walked Jared Keels scoring Jackson, then he struck out the next two batters.

Photos by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Spring Valley's Jeremiah Jackson safely steals third before the tag is applied by RNE third baseman Jason Mohn.

Fulmer got the only other hit for Spring Valley which was a single to right field in the sixth inning.

The Vikings will host Sumter Friday, April 4 while the Cavaliers host Lower Richland.

Spring Valley third baseman Rob Harding