BASEBALL: Vikings sweep Fall River to get first wins

Rio picked up victories No. 1 and No. 2 on the season on Friday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from Fall River, 13-9 and 15-5.

In the first game, the Vikings put up seven runs in the second inning and scored in every inning but the third, as they held on for a 13-9 win. The big hit for Rio in the second inning was a three-run homer by Ty Kearney.

It didn't take Rio long to double their win total, as the Vikings put on a hitting clinic in a 15-5 victory in six innings in the second game.

Seven of Rio's 13 hits in the second game went for extra bases, including three doubles in a 3-for-4 hitting performance by Brandon Parpart. Alex Brewer also had a pair of doubles, while Cole O'Brien added a triple for the Vikings.

Grant Moon pitched all six innings and got the win for Rio. Moon held the Pirates to just five hits, while striking out three.

"Moon kept them off balance real well," said Rio head coach Carey Swanson. "He wasn't overpowering but we made the plays. He threw enough strikes to keep us in the game."

Rio (2-11) will actually see Fall River again in one week, as the Vikings will open WIAA tournament play in Fall River next Friday. Does Swanson like his team's chances in the tournament opener?

"Yeah, if we hit the ball like we did in the second game," Swanson said. "Those doubles and triples were just shots."

GAME ONE

RIO 13, FALL RIVER 9

Rio ........................... 170   112   1 — 13  8  4

Fall River .................. 022   400   1 — 9  11  7

Pitchers — Pesavento (W), O'Malley (4), Selje (7); Rabl (L), Brumm (2). SO leaders — Pesavento 2, Selje 2, Brumm 4.

Leading hitters — Brewer (R) 2x4, Fauser (FR) 3x4, Brumm (FR) 3x4. 2B — O'Brien (R), Fauser 2, Brumm 2, Laitenin (FR). 3B — Dauman (FR). HR — Kearney (R).

GAME TWO

RIO 15, FALL RIVER 5

Fall River ...................... 010   400 —   5     5   2

Rio ............................... 042   333 — 15  13  1

Pitchers — Fauser (L), Rabl (3), Laitenin (4); Moon (W). SO leaders — Laitenin 3, Moon 3.

Leading hitters — Robbins (FR) 2x3, Moon (R) 3x4, Parpart (R) 3x4, Kearney (R) 2x2, Brewer (R) 2x4. 2B — Brewer 2, Parpart 3, Kearny. 3B — O'Brien (R).