The fifth inning was the difference Saturday in a tight well-played ballgame as the Stanton Vikings defeated the Griswold Tigers 4-0 in the opening round of the 1A substate 7 tournament. Stanton’s Gavin Ford was phenomenal, while Griswold missed key opportunities to score. Although Calden Turner was just as good on the mound for the Tigers, the Viking bats picked up in the fifth and combined with a pair of errors, managed four runs in the frame. This was all the offense they would need as Ford would shut the door and secure the victory for Stanton.

Despite only coming into the ball game with 14.0 innings pitched, Turner was excellent for Griswold. Through four innings, he held Stanton scoreless, struck out six, and didn’t allow a hit until the fourth. However, Ford was just as good, while the Tigers were unable to cash in on their opportunities to score. Griswold left three baserunners in scoring position and was caught being overly aggressive as Wyman was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple.

Scoreless through four, the Stanton bats started to come alive in the fifth. After Cooper Dryer singled to lead off the inning, Jayden Burke walked, which ended the great start for Turner. Kolbe Klindt came in to try and hold the tie, but after a wild pitch, moved both runners into scoring position. Jacob Martin would break the tie. Martin put down a great bunt that scored Dryer, but the ensuing throw from Klindt sailed on him. The error allowed Burke to score from second. Another errant throw would allow Martin to advance to third, and he would be driven in by an Owen Marsh single. Nollan Case would put a bow on the inning with an RBI double to give Stanton the 4-0 lead.

Although Griswold would get one runner into scoring position in the fifth, they would not threaten the rest of the game. Ford continued to hurl late in the game, picking up four of his eleven strikeouts in the final two frames while retiring the last seven batters he saw to shut the door on the Tigers. Head coach Ryan Lockwood was pleased with Turner’s performance and spoke about what went into his decision.

Despite all that happened Lockwood was still proud of his team for the way they played.

He also had high praise for his three seniors in Wyman, Alex Nelson, and Zane Johnson.

Replacing seniors is always difficult but the Tigers are confident in their young players.

Locking back on it all, Lockwood thought the season was a successful one.

Stanton advances to play a Martensdale-St. Marys team with 27 wins on Tuesday. While the Tigers’ season comes to an end finishing with a 8-15 record.