The Hoover Vikings will face off against the Normandy Invaders at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The last three games Hoover has played have been within two runs, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.
Hoover fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Mentor on Saturday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Cardinals by a score of 4-2.
Hoover had to settle for second despite strong performances on the mound from Evan Fuller and Griffin Paumier Fuller tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits, while Paumier tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Furthermore, Paumier didn't allow a single walk, the first time he has blanked an opponent since back in March.
Jack Andes
| 05/20/25 vs Louisville | 4 |
| 05/09/25 @ Wadsworth | 4 |
| 05/13/25 vs Washington | 3 |
| 04/16/25 @ McKinley | 3 |
| 04/01/25 @ Lake | 3 |
| + 14 more games |
On the hitting side, Jack Andes was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and one run. He is becoming a predictor of Hoover's success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is 11-4 (and 3-8 when he doesn't).
The scorekeeper got an easy start on Saturday as neither Normandy nor North made it on the board until the sixth inning. The Invaders came out on top against the Rangers by a score of 4-1.
Dillon Vargo looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
At the plate, Andrew Sikon and Cullen Rooney did most of the damage at the plate: Sikon went 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run, while Rooney got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run, one double, and one RBI. That triple was Sikon's first of the season. Another player making a difference was Nick Hinkle, who went 3-for-4 with one run and one double.
Normandy hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least three batters in three consecutive games.
Normandy's victory bumped their record up to 10-15. As for Hoover, they have been struggling recently as they've lost four of their last five matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 14-12 record this season.
Hoover was able to grind out a solid win over Normandy in their previous matchup back in April, winning 6-3. Do the Vikings have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Invaders turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
