After splitting in the opening games with a 2-0 shut out over Darlington and a 2-0 loss to Marlboro County, the Latta Vikings defeated Cheraw 9-0 to win the Founders Credit Union Diamond Challenge championship on Wednesday night in varsity baseball action.

Latta scored their first run in the bottom of the first inning and picked up eight runners in the third for the 9-0 win in five innings.

John Kever Love pitched all five innings for the Vikings, striking out 11 and allowing just one hit in the win. Cheraw’s Campbell took the loss, pitching two innings for two hits, three walks, three earned runs, and two outs. Cheraw’s Keith also pitched two innings for one out.

Love also went 1-for-2 with two RBI to help lead the Vikings, with Christian Hendrix going 1-for-1 with two RBI and Dylan Anderson going 1-for-3 with two RBI.Jeremy Jenkins also had a hit in the win, with the Vikings getting a total of seven hits and one error.

Campbell got Cheraw’s only hit in the effort. The Braves had six errors.

The Vikings are now 13-3 overall and are 8-1 in Region 8-A. Latta has already claimed the region title, with Johnsonville in second place and Lake View in third.

Latta was scheduled to host McBee on Monday night and will host Lake View on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before wrapping up the season at Mullins on Monday, April 28. Make plans to attend to support our teams!