Corn Dogs Move to 16-6 on Season, as Pitching Dominates Vikings

By Noel Fary

The Lake County Corn Dogs took down the Southland Vikings on Saturday for the fifth time this season with a stellar performance from the pitching staff, which allowed them to keep the lead and post the 11-2 win.

Ivan Balboa started on the mound for the Corn Dogs for the first time this season after seeing multiple games in the field and as a reliver. Balboa set the tone for the Corn Dogs, pitching four innings, giving up one earned run, one walk and grabbing four strikeouts.

Check out the box score from the game.

The bottom of the first started with two straight outs for the Corn Dogs, and starter Will Moell for the Vikings appeared capable of handling the Corn Dogs offense. The heart of the Corn Dogs offense had other plans.

After loading the bases on two walks and a single, Doug Loden took a pitch to his side, putting the Corn Dogs on the board first. They did not stop there, with seven straight players reaching base, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back.

The Vikings posted two runs over the third and fourth innings but were otherwise completely silenced by Corn Dogs pitchers.

Gavin Gallagher came in relief for Balboa and retired 10 straight Vikings hitters, quickly and efficiently. The performances by Balboa, Gallagher and Mark Tor, who came in the ninth inning for the Corn Dogs, earned the staff a combined Macron Player of the Game.

The Corn Dogs took advantage of free passes handed out by Vikings pitchers, totaling 11 throughout the game, while Corn Dogs pitchers only allowed two. Now on a two-game win streak, the Corn Dogs look ahead to the Griffith General come to Crown Point. First pitch is 7 p.m. Sunday’s game against the NWI Oilmen was a rainout.