Vikings don't miss a beat

It's been a week since the Geneva baseball team last played, and from the looks of it against Kaneland, the Vikings haven't missed a beat.

The Vikings posted 11 hits in their 9-2 Western Sun Conference win against Kaneland in Geneva Wednesday.

"I was a little nervous, I didn't know what to expect," Geneva coach Matt Hahn said. "It was almost like it was opening day for us again…usually by now, you've played 6-7 games and have kind of a feel of what your team can do, so it was nice to score 9 runs the first time back out."

"We came out swinging, which is something we've been doing all year," Geneva junior Cory Hofstetter added. "It's pretty good. Our entire team hits the ball."

Hofstetter was a big part of Geneva's offense, as the first baseman highlighted the first inning with his 2-run home run. It was his first of the season.

"It felt good," said Hofstetter, who also had a double. "I've been in a slump. I haven't been hitting too well early this season, but it felt good to finally get a hit."

The Vikings (4-0, 1-0) finished the first inning with 5 runs, which also included an RBI single from Justin Doty.

Leadoff hitter Kevin Massoth scored his second run of the game in the second inning, thanks to Ryan Payne's RBI single that gave Geneva a 6-0 advantage.

"It's good to have guys up and down in your order you can count on," Hahn said. "It seems like when Kevin Massoth is on base, everyone else falls right in line."

Kaneland (2-2, 0-1) finally scored a run in the fifth after leadoff man Jay Levita's RBI single sent Cody Crook home after he hit a 2-out double.

The Vikings responded with two more runs in the fifth, including an RBI single from pinch hitter AJ Sarentopulos.

The Knights' final run of the game arrived when Nick Wagner scored from second on a Geneva error. The Vikings also scored their final run in the sixth inning after another RBI single from Payne.

"We had hits, but they were scattered," Kaneland coach Brian Aversa said. "(Geneva) played solid defense, they didn't kick the ball around. They got the outs when they needed to."

Geneva's No. 1 starter Chris Jordan earned the win after the senior pitched the distance, allowed 7 hits, no walks and fanned 3 batters.

"I tell him everyday to be Chris Jordan," Hahn said. "What you saw today was typical Chris Jordan -- first pitch strike, doesn't mess around, wants the ball."