South Tama’s Colson Frakes rushes off the mound to grab a hit. Frakes swung around and connected with second baseman Tanner Probasco for the out. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

The South Tama Trojans baseball and softball teams hosted the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings for a WaMaC conference double header on Monday, June 13. The Trojans and Vikings are familiar foes who have faced each other for years but now have a more vested interest since the Trojans moved back into the WaMaC west conference in 2015.

On the baseball field it was a night of redemption for the Trojans. It was the first meeting for the two teams since the Trojans suffered a heartbreaking season ending loss to the Vikings. In that matchup the Trojans led 3-0 going into the sixth inning. The Vikings mounted a comeback scoring one run in the sixth and three in the seventh to beat the Trojans 4-3 in the first round of substate. This season the Vikings lead the WaMaC west conference with an 11-5 record and are one of the top 20 teams in Class 3A.

Pitching game one for the Vikings was senior Tyler Rippel. In a twist of fate it was Rippel who closed the door on STC’s 2015 campaign as he relieved starter Zach Boisen in the fifth inning and would hold the Trojans scoreless through the final two innings. Rippel is a recent grad of Vinton and was the Vikings opening day pitcher. He has an ERA of .054 with 26 innings pitched and 25 strikeouts earned thus far. He pitched six innings on Monday giving up two hits, one earned run and one error and recorded the loss for Vinton.

Starting and pitching all seven innings for the Trojans was senior Colson Frakes. Frakes had another outstanding effort for the Trojans and continues to be one of the top pitchers in the conference. Through the first three weeks of the season Frakes has struck out 31 batters (tied for 7th most in Class 3A) with an ERA of 0.78 and only 5 walks. The senior southpaw was rewarded with the 1-0 win.

Game two, however, was a bit of a different story. Sophomore Lane Koch got the start on the mound for the Trojans. Starting for the Vikings was junior pitcher Nathan Struve. Struve would be Vinton’s number two but looking at the Vikings season and picking between Struve and Rippel is splitting hairs. Struve has pitched 24 innings thus far and does have a higher ERA (1.17) but has more strikeouts than Rippel with 39. Coming in to close out the night for the Vikings was junior Scottie Wirth. Wirth pitched one inning for one walk and two strikeouts. The Vikings ended the night with a 8-0 win over the Trojans.

South Tama’s Belle Tyynismaa crosses home plate for a run score on Monday, June 13. The Trojans hosted the Vinton Vikings in WaMaC conference action. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

Over on the softball field the Lady Trojans faced the Vikettes. The Vikettes are sitting in the middle of the pack at fourth in the WaMac west division at 8-10.

Pitching game one for Vinton was sophomore Rachel Tandy. Tandy has pitched 55 innings so far this season and has an ERA of 4.96 with 33 strikeouts. She recorded the win for the Vikings pitching all seven innings while giving up seven hits, two runs, one error, one walk and five strikeouts.

The Vikettes took game one 5-2.

In game two the Vikettes were led by another sophomore Alex Maynard. Maynard has eight starts and has an ERA of 4.58 with 23 strikeouts.

Maynard recorded the win for Vinton pitching five innings giving up 9 hits, three runs, 2 errors, one walk and four strikeouts.

South Tama’s Cody Kellogg made his first appearance of the season from the mound on Monday, June 15. Kellogg pitched two innings during the Trojans matchhup with the Vinton Vikings. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

The Vikings cruised to a 16-3 win over the Trojans.

The STC girls will be on the road to East Marshall tonight for a non-conference matchup.

South Tama’s Saylor Upah stretches long as Vinton runner steps over the baseline to avoid a tag. Upah got the out at first base on Monday, June 13. The Trojans hosted the Vinton Vikettes for a WaMaC conference matchup. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham