The Community Vikings banged out 11 hits over six innings and used clutch two-out hitting to defeat the Hubbard (Ohio) Eagles 10-7 Thursday in the Viking Classic.

"You can tell some of the guys are getting better with every at-bat, especially the basketball guys and the young guys," Coach Robbie Davis of the Vikings said.

Community (8-1), playing as the visiting team, took the lead in the opening inning.

Jacob Cooper was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and Corey Paterick singled to put the Vikings in business. A run-scoring single by Will Reed followed by a Dylan Norris sacrifice fly put Community up 2-0.

The Eagles used three walks and a hit batsman to score two runs and tie the game in the bottom of the first.

The Vikings sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs with two outs in the fourth inning. After one out, Samuel Holley singled. Jackson Bailey was hit by a pitch and Tyler Bolden sacrificed to put both runners in scoring position.

A single by Cooper plated two runs and put the Vikings up 4-2. Another RBI-single by Paterick increased Community's lead to 5-2. After a Reed single, Norris singled to drive in two runs and Evan Petrie singled home one to put the Vikings up 8-2.

Hubbard bounced back with four runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning to cut the Viking lead to 8-6.

The Vikings added two insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning. A Reed single sandwiched between two Eagle errors loaded the bases with none out. Petrie walked with the bases loaded to force in one run and a sacrifice fly by Mason Russell gave Community a 10-6 lead.

The Eagles made some noise in the bottom of the sixth. After a pair of singles, a run-scoring double put Hubbard within 10-7 and brought the tying run to the plate. But two strikeouts by Viking relief pitcher Blaine Paschal shut the door and preserved the Community victory as the game ended on the time limit.

Reed had three singles to lead the Vikings at the plate. Paterick and Holley added two singles each.

Zander Thurber pitched the first four innings and struck out two to get the win for the Vikings. Paschal pitched the final two innings and got the save.

"Thurber threw the ball well and Blaine Paschal did a great job in relief," Davis said.

"We are still making too many defensive mistakes to give the opponents runs," Davis added. "The tournament gives us a chance to pitch a lot of guys and see different lineups for sure."

Community is scheduled to play four more games in the Viking Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Community 200 602 - 10 11 3

Hubbard (OH) 200 401 - 7 8 2

Community - Will Reed 3-for-3, Corey Paterick 2-for-4, Samuel Holley 2-for-4, Jacob Cooper 1-for-2, Dylan Norris 1-for-3, Evan Petrie 1-for-3, Jackson Bailey 1-for-3.

WP - Zander Thurber

SV - Blaine Paschal.