By Jonathan Shelton

The Patrick County High School Cougar varsity baseball team traveled to North Stokes High School Friday night to take on the Vikings.

North Stokes drew first blood, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. The Cougars started out flat and were only able to get off one run throughout the entire game. Evan Hopkins contributed at the top of the fifth by leading off with a single, then stealing second, and was brought in on a hit by William Wood to tie it up 1-1. Patrick County was unable to get another run after that.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Vikings were able to pull off a two-run hit to take the lead and eventually the game, 3-1. The Vikings never looked back after that and didn’t allow any hits during the final two innings.

Nicolas Duncan was on the mound for the Cougars and brought a very good effort allowing just six hits, three walks, three runs and striking out five. Duncan took the loss for Patrick County.

Evan Hopkins finished the game with one run and one hit. William Wood had one hit and one RBI. Despite the loss, Coach Eric Renegar was still pleased with the way his team played.

The Cougars roll with confidence into this week with the three following games: Tuesday against G.W. Danville at home at 5 p.m., Wednesday at Floyd at 5 p.m., and Thursday against Tunstall at home at 5 p.m.