Hopkins High School softball coach Amy Funk has deliberately tried to have her team play tougher non league competition than in past years. Though most of the time it’s led to more defeats, on Thursday it provided a boost when the Vikings gained a split with South Christian, a team that finished second in the O-K Gold Conference.
The Sailors, who went 11-3 in the Gold behind only perennial powerhouse Wayland, won the first game 5-3, thanks largely to a four-run outburst in the fifth inning. Hopkins had led 2-0 up to that point.
The nightcap went the other way in a 5-2 verdict.
The Vikings were limited to just three hits in game one. Catcher Lyla Reynolds drilled a double and a single and Avery Osborn had a single and Hannah Brinks drove in a run.
South Christian collected 10 hits off Hopkins pitcher Dahlia Veldhouse, who was pressed into service because of an injury to Brinks. She walked only one and struck out three and yielded four earned runs.
But things were different in game two, as Veldhouse picked up the victory on the mound, scattering seven hits in seven innings of work, walking none at striking out two.
Reynolds again led the offensive attack, which featured a dozen hits, with three runs batted in and a triple.
Hopkins now has an overall record of 16-12-2. The Vikings will play a makeup O-K Silver twin bill Tuesday against Kelloggsville and complete the regular season Wednesday against non-league opponent Allendale.
