Sophomore starting pitcher Jeremy Akioka held the Wildcats to just one run in five and one-third innings pitched, giving up his lone run in the third inning. Akioka said the team stayed strong despite trailing for most of the game.
“Our team did a great job of battling from behind and getting the hits when it mattered,” Akioka said.
Down 2-0, the Vikings were unable to score off Los Gatos’ starting ace until the seventh and final inning where they sparked a three run rally.
This unlikely comeback started with a walk of senior Justin Hull, followed by a deep double off the right field wall by sophomore second baseman Max Jung-Goldberg. A pair of singles by seniors Alec Olmstead and Lawrence Han scored both Hull and Jung-Goldberg.
The Vikings finally took the lead off of a beautiful bunt by junior pinch-hitter Michael Champagne, which scored Olmstead from third.
Champagne said the Vikings defense, specifically their pitching, enabled the offense to make a comeback late in the game and hopes the team can carry its momentum into the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“Our pitching helped keep us in the game and we finally came alive in the 7th and had a great rally to take the lead,” Champagne said. “Niko Lillios provided a clutch closing inning to seal the victory. If our team can bottle that intensity we hope to have a far run in CCS.”
Sophomore relief pitcher Niko Lillios sealed the game by forcing two flyouts and a strikeout.
The Vikings will move on to compete in the CCS playoffs in the coming weeks The game time, opponent, and location have not yet been decided.
According to Akioka, the team looks to continue its hot streak into the next round.
“We’re confident that we will be able to use our momentum to push far through CCS this year,” Akioka said.