Published: May 07, 2008 01:54 am         

Vikings put Berries back on heels

Huntington North gets four-hit effort from ace, adds run support in win over Logan.

Huntington North used timely hitting and an outstanding pitching performance from senior Ethan Tribolet to knock off the Logansport Berries 5-1 in a North Central Conference showdown Tuesday evening at Jim Turner field.

The hosts were able to manage just four hits off the Vikings’ ace, who struck out seven and did not walk a single batter.

“They were the best team we’ve faced,” said Logan coach Jim Turner. “And he’s (Tribolet)the best pitcher we’ve faced. We just weren’t going to solve him.”

It was a game that many considered a must-win for Logansport to have a shot at the conference title. Logan came into the game with two conference losses, compared to the unblemished conference mark of the Vikings.

The Berries tried to match Huntington’s ace with their own, senior right hander Luke Zinsmaster. He entered the game undefeated, but just couldn’t slow up Huntington’s bats, allowing 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings, including a pair of home runs.

“Luke left a lot of pitches up, and boy they hit the ball,” said Turner. “But Luke will come back just fine because he’s got a good arm with a good fastball.”

Huntington wasted no time jumping on Logansport, as senior left fielder Tony Hull singled off Zinsmaster to open the game. After Jamon Hummel sacrificed Hull to second, Aaron Brauchla flied out to left and it appeared Zinsmaster would work out of the jam. But senior first baseman Andrew Goble, who finished 3-for-4 inclluding a home run, smashed a single scoring Hull and putting the Vikings ahead 1-0.

Huntington tacked on their second run in the third when Goble pounded his home run, a deep shot to right-center field, to increase the Berries’ deficit to two.

That’s where the score stood until the top of the 5th, when the Vikings rallied again.

Senior right fielder Ryan Richison pounded a solo home run over the scoreboard in left center to open the frame. After Hull struck out, Hammel singled. Brauchla flew out to left, but Goble singled, sending Hammel to third. But Tribolet helped his cause, singling home Hammel to bring the tally to 4-0.

Huntington scored 3 of their 5 runs on key two-out hits.

The only offense the Berries could muster came in the bottom of the fifth, when junior right fielder Matt McKay reached on a catcher’s interference call. Zinsmaster then flew out, but center fielder Ike Homburg scored McKay all the way from first with a rocket triple to deep center field. But Homburg was picked off at third on a fielder’s choice off the bat of senior third baseman Mark Fultz, and shortstop John Tierney grounded out to end the rally.

The Vikings tacked on a run in the top of the 7th to bring the final tally to 5-1.

Huntingto’s offense made quite an impression on Logansport.

“There wasn’t any doubt that they were going to hit the ball,” said Turner. “They really had us on our heels defensively. We just got our ears pinned back.”

McKay was the lone bright spot offensively for the Berries, as he reached base each trip to the plate, which included two singles. In addition to Homburg’s triple, Logansport’s only other base hit came from senior catcher Grant McCloskey in the fourth.

Logan must re-group quickly, as they travel to Huntington tomorrow for another tilt with the Vikings.

Turner said his team will be ready.

“We’re going to put the ball in play,” said the Berries’ skipper. “Hopefully we’ll get them to hit a lot of pop ups. We’re not going to roll over and play dead.”