Vikings win battle against Warriors (PHOTOS)

Destin’s Blake Becnel pounded out two hits to lead the Fort Walton Beach Vikings in an 8-3 win over the Lee-Scott Warriors of Auburn, Ala.  in the Under Armour Tournament at home Monday evening.

Becnel was 2-for-3 with a double and a single and two RBIs.

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Other Vikings with hits were Dale Smith with a single, Brandon Horn with a double and two RBIs, and Phillip Gabes with a single.

Destin’s J.D. Little pitched six innings for the Vikings striking out two and giving up eight hits and two walks.

“J.D. did a good job pitching for us,” said Fort Walton Coach Dave Garner.

“It was a tough win for us,” Garner said, “but a win, is a win, is a win.”

The Warriors outhit the Vikings eight to five, but the outfield held them in check.

“The outfield played well, but we’ve got to hit better,” he said.

The Viking infield was tested right out of the gate with second baseman Horn fielding two grounders for put outs. Micha Pointer singled to right field but was later pegged by catcher Austin Sullivan when he tried to steal second.

In the bottom of the first, the Vikings came in and put three runs on the board. Dale Smith, of Destin, walked and Horn was hit by a pitch. The next batter grounded out, then Becnel slapped a single to center field with Smith and Horn scoring. Becnel slipped in home on a passed ball for a 3-0 start.

The Warriors connected for one hit in the bottom half for one run. With two outs, Taylor Young doubled to right center and scored on a throwing error.

In the third, the Warriors picked up another run on a double by Pointer for a 3-2 game.

The Vikings got the one run back in the bottom half. Becnel was hit by a pitch, walked to second and eventually stole home. Fort Walton led 4-2.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fort Walton added two more runs. Gabes singled to right field and scored on a shot by Dale Smith. Horn followed with a hard-hit double to right center to bring in Smith for a 6-2 go-ahead.

In the top of the sixth, the Warriors scored their last run. With two outs, Lee-Scott connected for three consecutive singles with Bill Calcote scoring.

Fort Walton put two last runs on the board with two hits and a couple of deep shots. Destin’s Mac Barton walked and Smith singled. Horn took one deep to left to sacrifice in Barton. Smith scored on a sacrifice by Little. Becnel ripped a double to left but was left stranded for an 8-3 game.

In the top of the seventh, Austin Sullivan came in as relief and sat the Warriors down with three strikeouts.

The Vikings were scheduled to play in round two of the tournament Tuesday at 4 p.m. and again today at 7 p.m.