Vikings drop tight Game 1 to Liners, 3-2

Despite an early lead, a tough fifth inning allowed the DeKalb County Liners (1-0) to pull ahead of the Southland Vikings (0-1) and take a 1-0 series lead.

After two scoreless innings, Dan Eliopulos led off the third inning with a single and reached third on an error. Two batters later, Shane Brown had a sacrifice fly that gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead. In the following inning, Dan Potempa reached on an error and ended up scoring on an RBI single from Micah Rooke.

But in the bottom of the fifth, the Liners took control of the game. With runners on the corners, Joey Burney hit a ground rule double to score one run and two batters later, Charlie Dennehey knocked a 2-run single to give the Liners the lead.

While the Vikings outhit the Liners 9-6 and DeKalb committed four errors, Southland could not come back and fell to the Liners, 3-2. James Dawson led the way offensively, going 3 for 4 while A.J. Doyle went 2 for 3.

Aaron Hauge (0-1) started for the Vikings and looked strong despite giving up three earned runs in the fifth. He went six innings, allowing six hits while striking out 12. Evan Nietfeldt (0-0) also looked good, pitching two innings of scoreless ball. But they were outshined by Luke Harrison (1-0) of the Liners who went six innings, allowing no earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven. He picked up the win while Hauge received the loss. Brent Mueller (0-0) earned his first save of the postseason.

Southland will look to avoid elimination Wednesday night at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.