Every spot in the lineup got a hit except Harper Lane, who contributed plenty as the ballhawk he is in centerfield and two walks he contributed, the first leading to the Vikings' first run, in La Jolla's play-in victory Tues., May 19.
It was a welcome sign, after freshman righthander Sebas Estrada throttled the offense last Mon., May 11, then two different hurlers did the same in the Wed., May 13 game--both against Lincoln in the regular-season-ending series.
Catcher Carter Strauss had two RBI's, one in the fourth inning and another in the seventh when the Vikes added two runs for insurance. It gave them a little bit of a mental cushion when Vista came back with two runs in the last of the seventh.
Joseph Crudo, moved over to second base, had the two-run double that started things off in the top of the first, plating Lane and Charlie Martin.
One challenge a member of the peanut gallery sees after the last two weeks of play, going into today's contest against visiting Rancho Buena Vista: Coach Gary Frank has stayed pretty much with the same lineup last week (versus Lincoln in three games) and Tuesday. Some of the players sitting out have been watching for quite a few innings, and in crunch time when the games mean more in the past 10 days.
Can they respond? Will the alternate platooners get a chance to respond and contribute today, and tomorrow, if La Jolla wins today?
That's one thing a coach obviously wants to keep in mind. The red-and-black have several players "in the rotation", who have played regularly during the 2026 season, and they're used to the work.
Zach "Snacks" Gergurich has had one at-bat, pinch-hitting for Brady Wilson in the seventh inning at Vista. He walked. (He hasn't been on the mound either lately.)
Also used to playing time are Renner Smith (second base) and Luke Cripe (outfield).
I can hear the lyrics by John Fogerty, "Put me in, Coach/I'm ready to play today/Put me in, Coach/I'm ready to play/Look at me, I can be centerfield."
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