Huntington Beach takes Triple Crown

The H.B. Vikings, an 11-and-Under baseball team, completed an outstanding tournament season by capturing first-place in going 4-0 at last weekend’s Triple Crown Tournament.

The Vikings capped the tournament by defeating the Cypress Dirtbags, 4-2, in the final.

During the tournament, the Vikings scored 47 runs and their defense and pitching limited the opposition to a total of six runs.

Key performances were turned in by Justin Neese who hit back-to-back home runs, Austin Sojka going three for three with two RBI in the championship game and Frankie Padulo throwing a no-hitter in a semifinal victory.

For the season, the Vikings compiled a 52-36-3 record while competing in 20 tournaments and the spring California Competitive Youth Baseball league. In tournament play, the Vikings earned six first-place finishes and finished second and third three times each. They also placed second among 17 teams in league competition.

The Vikings will complete their 2005-06 season in August when they travel to Anaheim to compete at the California Competitive Youth Baseball World Series.

The Vikings are Jonathan. Abernatha, Patrick Boyker, Jonathan D’Alessandro, Adam Gomez, Philip Knapp, Jesse Kuet, David Mastro, Justin Neese, Frankie Padulo, Keegan Reeser, Austin Sojka, William Sprowls, Shane Veeder, Max Willingham and Hayden Winks.

For more information about the H.B. Vikings and upcoming open tryouts, visit the website at www.eteamz. active.com/hbvikings.