ROANOKE RAPIDS — Halifax Academy pitcher Brett Love had a dominating performance on the mound for the Vikings, and Halifax Academy got enough hits early and played tough defense late in the ball game to defeat Cary Christian School, 3-1, last night.

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It was the final home game for 10 seniors on the ball club and the Vikings, who have suffered through a down season, came out the gates with more life than they had in any game this season. That energy carried over to their first at bat, when they got things cracking. The Knights forced the first two batters out, but Zack Horvath got things started with a single. Love connected for a single of his own and Matthew Inscoe loaded the bases with a single shot. With the bases loaded senior Lewis Conger stepped to the plate and blasted a shot to center field for a two RBI double, giving the home team an early, 2-0, advantage.

“I think with it being senior night fans and players were (into) the game,” Vikings’ Head coach Rabbit Long said. “The guys were pumped up and ready to play today.”

The Halifax Academy defense kept Cary Christian School scoreless for the next two innings and Love faced seven batters during the span, giving up zero hits and walking one. The Knights only score of the evening came in the top of the fourth when Mark Linke drove in Sam Casucci with a sacrifice bunt to make it, 2-1, in favor of the Vikings. Halifax Academy went three and out their next at bat, and before they took the field again, Long gathered his troops and gave them a stern talking too about not letting up and getting too relaxed. The message got through to the Vikings as they held CCS scoreless again in the top of the fifth and took to the plate in the bottom half of the inning.

Matthew Clay singled, stole second and third and was brought home on a single by Horvath for the final run of the day. However, there was still plenty of defense to be played. Love pitched the side in the top of the sixth and in the top of the seventh, the Vikings forced a three and out with Love striking out the last two batters for the victory, giving the seniors a much deserved victory at their final home game.

“Brett got stronger as the game went on,” Long said. “The last couple of innings he was really throwing the ball well. I thought that was one of our best defensive games all year long. The guys just stepped up tonight, they knew it was going to be a big ball game.”