Vikings' Carlson beats flu, Silver Wolves

BOUNTIFUL — Viewmont third baseman Kory Carlson has been battling flu-like symptoms since Friday.

If his play in the Vikings' 6-4 win over Fremont in the Region 1 opener for both teams on Tuesday is any indication, Carlson might want to keep the illness in his system for a little while longer.

Carlson made Fremont sick by driving in four runs — two on a sacrifice bunt and two on a single in the fifth — to help Viewmont to a win over the team that's supposed to be its closest competitor in 5A's northern league this season.

"Every region game is huge, no matter who it's against," Carlson said. "These guys (the Silver Wolves) are a very good team. It's great to come out here and start 1-0 in region. We just have to keep going, keep winning."

Viewmont jumped on Fremont early, with Carlson playing a big role. With one out in the first, Carlson put down a perfect bunt to score runners from second and third. The play gave the Vikings a 4-0 lead.

It also helped Carlson, who was feeling far from 100 percent after the game, forget about the flu for a few moments.

"It should be going away soon," Carlson said.

The Vikings' lead also went away when Fremont rallied in the fifth. After being completely shut down by Viewmont starter Kyle Bilbrey in the first four innings, the Silver Wolves put together some quality at-bats against him. Sophomore Tate Lewis hit a three-run triple to tie the game at 4-4.

Viewmont sophomore Justin Rupe then entered the game and ended Fremont's rally.

"He's got a live arm," Vikings coach Roger Farnsworth said of Rupe. "He was pretty gutsy for a sophomore in that situation. He pitched his way out of it."

Farnsworth earned the pitching victory for Viewmont, and he was backed by a stellar defense that turned double plays in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Vikings responded quickly to Fremont's rally, as Carlson had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the fifth to put Viewmont up 6-4. His hit came on a well-timed hit-and-run play.

"It was good to see us score after they scored," Farnsworth said. "That was big."

Viewmont improved its overall record to 1-1. It rebounded after being no-hit and striking out 14 times against Spanish Fork on Saturday. Fremont fell to 2-3 overall. The two teams will rematch in Plain City on Thursday.

"They always give us fits up there," Farnsworth said. "We'll have to play a lot better."

E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com

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