After winning the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship last week, the Grand View Vikings advanced to the 2010 NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round Group Five Tournament in Oklahoma City. The Vikings drew the Raiders of Northwestern College (Iowa) in the first game of the opening round tournament at Jim Wade Stadium. The Raiders advanced to the tournament after defeating Hastings in the GPAC Tournament.
The Vikings gave up 11 hits to Northwestern, seven of which came in the first three innings, en route to a 7-2 loss. Grand View was able to get nine hits against the Raiders but were unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities early in the game. Northwestern'ssophomore Mike Zoellner, a second-team all-GPAC selection, went the distance against the Vikings.
Grand View went down in order in the top of the first inning and the Raiders came out swinging early. The first three Northwestern batters reached, loading the bases for senior Curt Bomgaars. Bomgaars flew out to center field, allowing the first run to cross home plate for Northwestern. The next two Raider hitters were able to drive in runs, giving them an early 3-0 lead on the Vikings.
Grand View answered in the top half of the second with a run of their own. Senior all-conference selection Jeff Brooks reached after being hit by a pitch. With two outs and Brooks on first base, Kyler Morgan drove a ball to right field, scoring Brooks and giving Morgan a double. However, the Vikings were unable to do any more damage in the top half of the second inning.
In the bottom of the second Northwestern scored another run on two hits. Senior Matt Gray singled through the right side, scoring Matt Neegard to give the Raiders a 4-1 advantage.
Grand View's biggest threat of the contest came in the third inning. With two outs in the inning Marc Mericle doubled to center field, Matt Dun drew a bases on balls walk and Curtis Quijano singled to load the bases with Vikings. But the Raiders starting pitcher, Mike Zoellner, got Brady Wathen to fly out to center field to end the inning.
Following another Northwestern run in the top of the third inning, freshman Jared Meggison held the Raiders scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning. However, the Vikings were unable to get any offense going against Zoellner. Zoellner held the Vikings at bay for the rest of the contest. The only blemish for Zoellner came in the bottom of the ninth when the Vikings Kyler Morgan homered to left field. Morgan accounted for both Grand View runs against the Raiders.
The lone bright spot for Grand View in their opening round game was the sophomore shortstop from Carlisle, IA. Morgan drove in two runs on three hits in four plate appearances. The Vikings will look to rebound in the double elimination tournament on Wednesday. Grand View will play at 11:00 a.m. central time in Oklahoma City against the loser of Union (Tennessee) vs. Jamestown (North Dakota) contest.
