Siuslaw junior Beau Erickson clubbed a three-run triple and score on an error in a five-run fifth to lift the Vikings to an 11-7 season-opening victory over Cottage Grove in Sky-Em League baseball play Tuesday.

The Vikings host Elmira-Triangle Lake in a home-opening doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday.

"It was a little sloppy, we found some things we need to work on," Siuslaw coach Tom Shinn said. "With football wrapping up on Friday of last week, we had only had most of the varsity players together for practice on Monday."

The Lions did have a practice edge, given Cottage Grove did not field a football team this season, while seven of nine Vikings starters Tuesday were in football uniforms last Friday.

With but one practice as a full team, the Vikings struggled in the field, committing eight errors to six by the host Lions.

"Our goal this week will be to limit the errors and strikeouts before we face Elmira on Friday," Shinn said.

Senior third baseman Elijah Blankenship, Erickson and junior Isaac Garza led the way offensively.

Blankenship was 2 for 3 with 2 runs, an RBI and 2 steals, Erickson 1 for 2 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs and Garza 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI.

Junior Jason Garcia picked up the victory in relief for the Vikings, following opening-day pitcher Clay Kramer. Elijah Blankenship relieved in the bottom of the sixth.

The trio combined for 13 strikeouts and 5 walks, Garcia with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk in 3.1 innings, Blankenship with 2 and 1 in 2 innings and Kramer with 3 and 3 in 1.2.

"Pitchingwise, I liked what I saw for the most part," Shinn said. "The plan was to limit the number of pitches guys threw so we have arms available for Friday.  

"Both Elijah and Clay are able to return if we need them."

Also Tuesday, Marist Catholic edged visiting Junction City, 11-10. Wednesday, Elmira-Triangle Lake visits Marshfield.

SIUSLAW                 213 050 0  — 11   7   8
COTTAGE GROVE  410 020 2  —   9   7   6
Clay Kramer, Jason Garcia (2), Elijah Blankenship (6) and Ian Sissel.
Brayden Buckland, Christian Spear (3), Isaac Cushman (5), Tristan Kane (6) and Crimson Tadlock.
WP — Jason Garcia (1-0). LP — Brayden Buckland (0-1).

SCHEDULE
Record: 1-0 overall, 1-0 Sky-Em League
April 13 — Siuslaw 11, at Cottage Grove 9
Friday, April 16 — Elmira/Triangle Lake (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20 — Marshfield, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 23 — at Marist Catholic (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 27 — Junction City, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 30 — Cottage Grove (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4 — at Elmira/Triangle Lake, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 7 — at Marshfield (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 11 — Marist Catholic, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 14 — at Junction City (DH), 3 p.m.

ROSTER
  1 Beau Erickson, junior, 6-0, 160, RHP, 2B, 3B, OF
  2 Isaac Garza, junior, 6-1, 175, RHP, 2B, SS, OF
  3 Noah Dotson, freshman, 6-0, 180, RHP, OF
  4 Elijah Blankenship, senior, 5-10, 170 RHP, 2B, SS, OF
  5 Victor Reyna-Ayala, sophomore, OF
  8 Ethan Aaron, junior, 5-11, 200, OF
10 Henry Rankin, 6-1, 250, junior, C, 1B, 3B
12 Ian Sissel, sophomore, 6-0, 195, C, 3B
13 Jason Garcia, junior, RHP, C, OF
22 Clay Kramer, senior, RHP, OF
25 Dalton Stinger, senior, RHP, 1B, 3B, OF
34 Armando Galvan-Mendez, freshman, 3B