Correspondent Photo / Lowell Spencer Vikings pitcher Dylan Simpson works on the windup against Crestview. Simpson pitched five shutout innings and led his team to the Division III regional finals.
STRUTHERS – The third-seeded Rabelais Vikings defeated defending district champion Lakeview last Wednesday and entered Monday night's district semifinal game against league rival Crestview with confidence and momentum. They defeated the 11th-ranked Rebels twice in the regular season, giving up no points in both games.
Building on that confidence, the Vikings once again shut out the Rebels 9-0, winning their third straight championship and advancing to Wednesday night's regional final at Sene Park. The Vikings are 18-5 on the season and will face the top-seeded Perry Pirates. The first game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
“The kids support this system.” Vikings head coach Ed Anthony said. “There are eight teams in this district and three of them are from our conference, so we didn't take anything for granted. Once we found out, we prepared really hard for them this week.”
The Rebels finished the season with 11 wins and 10 losses, defeating arch-rival Colombiana to advance to the semifinals. They finished him fourth in the MVAC Great Tier with his 8-4 record.
“The last time Crestview made it to the district was many years ago.” Rebels head coach Todd Kirby said. “It's a big hurdle coming back here because you're facing everyone one-on-two. Going into district is a great lesson for our young kids how we need to prepare. I’m glad I got to know you.”
However, it was the Vikings' deadly combination of Dylan Simpson's excellent pitching and Owen Boone's hot bat that clinched victory. Simpson pitched five innings with two hits, and Boone led the victory with three hits in four at bats, two doubles, and two RBIs.
“We knew what was going to happen. We knew they were going to put Simpson on the mound.” Kibby said. “Really, in the end, it was just pitching and catching. I got runners on base and created opportunities, but I couldn't hit at the right time.''
While Simpson held the Rebels in check, Boone hit a double into the left field seats with one out in the third inning, and the Vikings' offense began to explode. Shortstop Austin Rowe singled over right field to give Boone the go-ahead RBI and a 1-0 advantage. A two-out error by the Rebels' third baseman allowed Lowe and Simpson, who had reached for singles, to both score, pushing the Vikings' lead to 3-0 after three plays.
That was enough for the Rebels, as Simpson only allowed two singles and three walks in five innings. He also struck out three for the Rebels en route to a 12-0 record on the mound this season. Boone took the mound and pitched the final two scoreless innings, holding the Rebels to no hits, two strikeouts, and two walks.
“This is Dylan Simpson. He's 12-0. Correct me if I'm wrong. Among Northeast Ohio pitchers, he ranks fourth or fifth in the state in strikeouts and 15 in earned run average. I'm not saying this because I'm his coach, but I don't think there are many pitchers in the state who are 12-0 with an ERA of 0.017. Anthony said.
The Vikings added three more runs in the fourth inning as Boone hit his second double, sending Aiden Doll home for a 4-0 lead. Catcher Brogan Collins singled to right field with two outs, sending home Christian Haught and Boone, giving the Vikings a commanding 6-0 lead.
“I'm more impressed by the defense that didn't have any errors. And we're starting to make contact.” Anthony said. “Earlier in the year we had some close games, 3-on-2 games, 2-on-1 games, 4-on-3 games, but today they jumped on the starters and the game went smoothly. Once we started hitting, I feel much better.”
Boone's third hit of the night, a single to right in the fifth frame, sent Nate Goldner home after starting the inning with a double to left. Goldner homered Simpson and Collins with a double in the sixth frame, reaching a final 9-0 lead and providing the final run of the contest.
Rebels starting pitcher Ethan Frizzle took the loss, giving up six runs and four earned runs on eight hits and two walks. He struck out six Vikings batters that night. Luke Julien pitched the final two innings, allowing three runs on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.
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