High school baseball: Kingsburg powers to back-to-back section title over Fowler

There was never any doubt for the Kingsburg High baseball team.

And it seemed like forever when they had to rally in a big way two games ago.

Lesson learned.

All the Vikings did since is score runs after runs in Thursday’s Central Section Division III high school championship game against Fowler.

Kingsburg scored three runs in the first inning and that proved to be enough for an 8-0 victory at Valley Strong Ballpark in Visalia. It’s the Vikings’ second straight section title.

“We got a good group of seniors who have been through the wars over the years,” Kingsburg coach Jim Cranford said. “Couple years ago we were the No. 1 seed and we got upset in the semis. It’s a testament to all those seniors who just work hard; put their nose to the grindstone and just get after it.”

Houston Hirschkorn had a solo home run in the fourth inning and Jensen Hirschkorn had an RBI for the Vikings.

Kingsburg starting pitcher Gavin Ekizian pitched a four-hitter and had 11 strikeouts. He also helped himself by driving in a run

Bodhi Verners and Gunnar Geringer also had an RBI for the Vikings.

Kingsburg’s march to the championship was interesting.

In the section quarterfinals, the Vikings trailed Garces 5-0 before scoring three runs in the sixth inning and three in the seventh inning for a 6-5 victory.

Kingsburg then beat Central Valley Christian 17-1.

“It looked like the season was going to be over,” Cranford said. “The kids found a way. Our motto is find a way and they found a way to get it done. It’s just a great group of kids to be around on and off the field.”