HAYFIELD -- Kasson-Mantorville gave Hayfield too many chances, and the Vikings were more than willing to take advantage of them.

Hayfield picked up its first win of the season, eeking out a 3-2 Hiawatha Valley League victory Monday night at home. Tyler Kramer's looping liner with two outs in the second inning drove in Cody Hegna and Dustin Draeger, and Scott Thompson's single to center in the third inning plated Bradey Perrigo as the eventual game-winning run.

Hegna reached with a walk and Draeger moved him up after being hit by a pitch. Both moved into scoring position on Cody Schieck's sacrifice bunt.

The Vikings (1-1, 1-1) took a 2-1 lead on Kramer's hit, and led 3-1 after Thompson's RBI-liner. Kasson-Mantorville came right back with a run in the fourth inning, but Hayfield's defense ended the inning with two runners on and only one out.

A towering fly ball headed towards center field changed directions in the southerly wind and Thompson, the left fielder, made a diving grab to save Hayfield's lead. His throw back to the infield was in time to get a double play at second after a KoMet runner had strayed too far from the base.

Center fielder Cody Hegna already made his play in the outfield by throwing a runner out at the plate in the first inning. Kasson-Mantorville had already taken a 1-0 lead, but the Hayfield defense and pitcher Carl Bamlet did enough things right to win.

"If we play good defense and throw strikes, we'll at least be in games," said Viking coach Chris Pack. "We can't rely on anyone to get a big hit."

Hayfield had seven hits in the game between three players. Kramer was 3-4 in the leadoff spot, Thompson was 2-3 and Nick DeMaria was 2-4.

Bamlet went the distance for the victory, scattering six hits and six walks against five strikeouts and one earned run.

Kasson-Mantorville was caught attempting to steal third base for the third out of the third inning by Perrigo, and Thompson's diving grab in the fourth saved Hayfield's lead.

The Vikings play at home again today against Lake City at 5 p.m.

Other scores

In other games around the area, Blooming Prairie leveled its overall and Gopher Conference records to .500 with a 13-0, five-inning rout of Alden-Conger Monday in Alden.

Kraig Olson struck out seven in four innings to get the win for Blooming Prairie. Aaron McDonald struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the fifth and final inning.

Steve Seykora’s bases-loaded triple in the fourth inning plated three runs for Blooming, who is now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Gopher Conference. BPHS goes to Medford for a conference game Thursday, and the Blossoms are back home on Friday for a non-conference clash with nearby Hayfield.

Olson, in addition to allowing only two hits to Alden-Conger, got two hits of his own and scored three runs for BP. McDonald was 1-1 with three walks, an RBI and four runs scored. Seykora’s triple brought home three of his four RBIs.

Blue Devils on a roll

Riverland claimed its fourth and fifth consecutive victories to bring its overall record back to .500 by sweeping a doubleheader at Anoka-Ramsey Monday afternoon in MCCC baseball action.

The Blue Devils won 3-2 and 5-4 to raise their overall record to 6-6. Riverland is now 6-4 in MCCC play, which continues today at home against Minnesota West. The league doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. at Riverland in Austin.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.