For the third straight season, Gibraltar/Washington Island found themselves on the short end of a tournament game against Pacelli, this time a 6-3 defeat in the sectional semi-final round in Plover on Tuesday.

The Vikings struck in the first inning with two runs after Brady Kita and Cam Munao led off the game with back-to-back singles. After Kita scored on a wild pitch, Munao came around to score on a ground out. Cardinals ace Keltin Opper settled down after the first inning, allowing only one other hit while piling up nine strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. He was matched early on by the Vikings' Aaron Brey. After a 1-2-3 first inning, the Cardinals had the bases loaded in the second and third innings only to have Brey shut the door on them both times. The levee finally burst in the fourth inning when Malise Beduhn and Jaden Garski tied the game on back-to-back singles. 

After an uneventful fifth inning, the Vikings went 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth inning before the Cardinals took control of the game. After Brey gave up a hit to lead off the frame, the Cardinals rattled off three runs (3 ER) on four hits off of Kita without the Vikings recording an out. Two hits went no more than 20 feet combined on perfectly executed bunts by the Cardinals. Bennett Isaacson-Krueger put out the fire by striking out the side. The Vikings put up a fight in the seventh with a pair of errors pushing Luke Rericha across home plate and placing Liam Lindenberg at first base with two outs. Cardinals pitcher Luke Haemmerle induced one final groundout to end the Vikings' season.

Kita, Munao, Lindenberg recorded the only hits in the game for the Vikings, with Dannhausen posting the lone RBI. Beduhn and Garski each had three hits for the Cardinals as they outhit the Vikings 13-3 on the day. The Cardinals went on to beat Lena 8-1 in the sectional final to make their second straight appearance in Appleton for the state tournament. The Vikings' season ends with a 20-6 mark in the final season with Jay Kita at the helm. Kita was thankful for their successful season in his final year after the game, saying how special it was to have every game with him at first base, his oldest son Nick coaching third base, and his youngest son Brady at the plate for every game. 

The Gibraltar/Washington Island Vikings hope the third time is the charm Tuesday when they face Pacelli in the sectional semifinal in Plover.

The Vikings won their regional title last Thursday after wins over Assumption (5-1) and Iola-Scandinavia (4-1). Aaron Brey had a large say in those contests from the mound, picking up a pair of wins and a dozen strikeouts. Bennett Isaacson-Krueger, Luke Rericha, and Brady Kita have all tallied two hits in the tournament so far. Kita, Brey, Jaxin Lindgren, Cam Munao, Owen Dannhausen, and Bennett Isaacson were all named to the All-Packerland Conference baseball team.

The Cardinals advanced to sectionals on the heels of a 10-0 win over Almond-Bancroft and an 8-1 victory against Tigerton. A state semi-finalist a year ago, the Cardinals have ended the Vikings' season two years in a row. In 2024, Asher Jordan's homer led the Cardinals to a 7-1 victory in the sectional semifinal in Rosholt, while the Vikings were limited to just two hits in a 2-0 regional final loss in 2023. 

Tim Kowols will have the call from Plover on 105.1 The GOAT beginning at 12:45 p.m. with the pregame show followed by the first pitch at 1 p.m. If the Vikings win, the GOAT will also carry the sectional final against Lena or St. Thomas Aquinas at approximately 4 p.m.

The Gibraltar/Washington Island Vikings won their second straight regional title on Thursday night, beating Iola-Scandinavia 4-1.

The Vikings' Aaron Brey and the Thunderbirds' Wyatt Wolberg bent but didn't break through the first three innings, allowing baserunners but never a critical hit that would have driven in runs. The Vikings finally broke through in the fourth inning thanks to three straight singles that led to Luke Rericha driving in the first run of the game. The biggest blow came two batter later when a sky-high pop-up by Liam Lindenberg when over the head of the left fielder to drive in a pair.

 

 

 

 

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The Vikings pushed across an insurance run one inning later when Bennett Isaacson-Krueger followed up a walk and a single with a RBI single of his own to make it 4-1. The Thunderbirds threatened in the sixth with two on and one out and scratched across a run in the seventh on a RBI single by Wolberg, but Brady Kita was able to lock down the save and the win for the Vikings.

 

 

 

 

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Isaacson-Krueger went 2-3 with an RBI in his final game as a Viking with Kita, Owen Dannhausen, Jaxin Lindgren, Rericha and Lindenberg also tallying hits. Brey struck out nine and was charged with one run (1 ER) across 6.1 innings. 

 

 

 

 

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The Vikings will battle a familiar foe in the sectional semifinal when they play Pacelli in Plover at 1 p.m. Tim Kowols will have the call on 105.1 The GOAT and NEW Radio Sports Network beginning at 12:45 p.m. with the pregame show followed by the first pitch at 1 p.m.

The Gibraltar/Washington Vikings look to win their second consecutive regional title on Thursday when they welcome Iola-Scandinavia to Fish Creek.

The Vikings posted just two hits against Assumption, but took advantage of free passes and fielding miscues to earn the 5-1 win on Tuesday. Brady Kita and Luke Rericha registered the hits while Kita and Hobbs Emerson were credited with RBI. With the early lead and the extra day of rest, manager Jay Kita was able to treat the contest like a bullpen game to potentially allow Aaron Brey and Bennett Issacson-Krueger to be eligible for today's regional final.

The Pioneers were outhit 12-2 while Thunderbirds scored at least one run in every inning but the fifth inning as Iola-Scandinavia rolled Sevastopol 8-0 on Wednesday. Ben Gruba paced the Thunderbirds, going 3-4 with three RBI, while Owen Wolberg went 3-3 and two RBI. The win improved the Thunderbirds' record to 12-9 on the year.

Tim Kowols will have the call on 105.1. The GOAT will begin at 4:15 p.m., with the pregame show followed by the first pitch at 4:30 p.m.

Gibraltar/Washington Island is one win away from their second straight trip to sectionals after beating Assumption 5-1 in Fish Creek Friday afternoon.

The Vikings let Royals pitcher Camden Martin off the hook in the first inning as they came away empty handed despite loading the bases with one out. They would suffer the same fate in the second inning, pushing across four runs thanks in part to a RBI single from Brady Kita and a two-base error hit by Aaron Brey that brought home two runs. 

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The Vikings added an insurance run in the third inning when a ground ball hit by Hobbs Emerson was misplayed, allowing Jaxin Lindgren to come around to score.

Brey sparkled in his 3.2 innings of work, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out four runs. Bennett Isaascson-Krueger came in relief alowing one run (0 ER) on three hits while striking out three. Kita wrapped things up in the seventh with a 1-2-3 inning.

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The Vikings were able to earn the win despite getting just two hits, instead taking advantage two errors, three hit by pitches, and four walks. 

While the Vikings beat the Royals and the rain on Tuesday, their future opponents were not as lucky. They will have to wait until Thursday to play the winner of Iola-Scandinavia and Sevastopol. The game will be played at 4:30 p.m. and will be carried live on 105.1 The GOAT.

The Gibraltar/Washington Island Vikings begin a new season on Tuesday when they welcome Assumption for a baseball regional semifinal matchup in Fish Creek.

After a midseason swoon that saw them split 10 game, the Vikings ended their regular season on a five game winning streak. A 2-1 win in the finale over Southern Door, the Vikings pieced together their two runs in the third inning when Luke Rericha and Liam Lindenberg found ways to score while Aaron Brey was up to bat. Brady Kita, Aaron Brey, and Luke Rericha each got one hit in the win for the Vikings.

Assumption finished their season 5-14, but blew out Marion in their last game to earn their trip to Fish Creek.

Tim Kowols will have the call on 105.1 The GOAT beginning at 1:15 p.m. with the pregame show followed by the first pitch at 1:30 p.m.

The state-ranked Gibraltar/Washington Island baseball team dominated the school's All-Packerland Conference selections announced over the weekend.

The team placed six players on the list, including four on the 1st team. The Vikings will start their WIAA Tournament run on Tuesday when they welcome Assumption to Billerbeck Field in Fish Creek on 105.1 The GOAT.

Baseball

Aaron Brey, 1st Team Pitcher

Brady Kita, 1st Team Catcher

Owen Dannhausen, 1st Team Infielder

Cam Munao, 1st Team Outfielder

Bennett Isaacson-Krueger, HM Infielder

Jaxin Lindgren, HM Outfielder

Softball

Isla Fagundes, HM Infielder