Vikings get road split at Benedictine

ATCHISON, Kan. -- The Missouri Valley College baseball team avoided a sweep of its season series with Heart of America Conference rival Benedictine by winning the first game of a Wednesday doubleheader at Atchison, Kan.

The Vikings led wire-to-wire during their 11-4 victory, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by sophomore George Ban and sophomore Damon Owen's two-run single.

Valley unloaded for six runs in the third, the first scoring on senior Cody Hanneken's double.

Two crossed on a single by senior Ricardo LeClaire, who rounded the circuit when junior Mark Leacox singled. Owen and junior Wes McCollum added RBI singles to make it 10-0.

Four pitchers were used by the Vikings, combining to allow seven hits -- with sophomore Danny O'Brien getting the win in relief and juniors Jer Atkinson and Casey Cull each tossing a scoreless frame.

Pitching was the key for the Ravens in the nightcap, freshman southpaw Matt Minnis -- who had a two-run homer in the early game -- going the six-inning distance with a five-hitter for an 11-1 decision.

A two-run single by junior Michael Marx was the key blow as Benedictine scored four times in the bottom of the second.

The Ravens (14-19, 8-11 HAAC) also had a four-run rally in the fifth, getting back-to-back run-scoring doubles from seniors Jeff McClafferty and Bobby Medina.

Valley's lone run came on a ground out after junior Jay Walkup tripled to lead off the second inning.

The Vikings (11-24, 10-16) will play a four-game league series Friday and Saturday at Culver-Stockton.