Central wins three straight after 8-3 home opener loss

Walled Lake Central is off to a 3-1 start to begin the 2011 season.

The Vikings started play last week with an 8-3 home loss to Howell on Monday, April 11.

Brandon Cichocki pitched six innings for the Vikings, giving up two runs and two walks while striking out six batters.

KJ Schultz opened the game with a home run for Central and finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Zac Leimbach hit 1-for-2, while Kyle Russ hit 2-for-3 and Austin Telling hit 1-for-3.

Zac Percha also threw out five runners trying to steal second base.

The Vikings then bounced back with a 17-3 win at Pinckney on Thursday, April 14.

Shane Daykin gave up three unearned runs and two hits in four innings of work for Central.

Derek Schultz hit four RBIs for Central, while James Sullivan and KJ Schultz each hit 2-for-4 and Blake Burns, Telling and Sam Boerema each drove in a pair of runs.

The Vikings then traveled to Southgate Anderson for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 16 and came away with a sweep.

Central took the opening game, 10-8, in 10 innings, thanks to a two-run home run in the top of the seventh by James Sullivan.

KJ Schultz and Telling each hit 2-for-3 while Daykin and Kyle Russ each hit 2-for-4 and Blake Burns hit 3-for-5.

Ben Rouff was credited with the victory on the mound after pitching four innings in relief.

Central had little trouble with Anderson in the second game, as the Vikings won 15-6.

KJ Schultz went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs while Brent Gustefson had four RBIs and Boerema had three RBI’s.

Russ and Telling each had two RBIs for Central while Alex Mexicotte picked up the victory by pitching five innings.

Central is next scheduled to travel to Huron Valley Lakeland for a doubleheader today, Wednesday, April 20, before hosting West Bloomfield on Thursday, April 21 and playing in the Lake Orion Invitational on Saturday, April 23.