Vikings baseball squad scores first win on new field

BY JOHN ZLATIC

Contributor

Let the historians note that big plays on defense, aggressive base running and solid team play marked La Jolla High’s first victory on its new state-of-the art baseball field.

Coach Gary Frank’s error-free Vikings held off the perennial powerhouse Cathedral Dons in a 5-3 nail biter filled with drama and heroes. Vikings third baseman, senior Robbie Ortiz, snuffed out the Don’s two-on, no-out first inning with an athletic triple play. Ortiz also singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored a run.

Junior catcher Aaron Steigerwalt flattened a Don’s runner attempting to cross him at home plate, and junior Bradley Zimmer dove deep in centerfield to snag a multiple-run saving catch;

Junior Ben Schrift pitched 2.2 hitless and scoreless innings.

Sophomore Kevin Usselman went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI and senior Jake Linksy stole a base and scored a run.

Senior Zac Zlatic went 1 for 1 with two walks, stole five bases and scored three runs.

The Viking pitchers in the new field’s inaugural victory were junior Ben Schrift, senior Josh Desrosiers and junior Max Needham, with Needham getting the win.