The Latta Vikings earned shut out wins in the opening rounds of the District VIII playoffs to advance to the district championship in the Class A 2014 baseball playoffs.

On Thursday night, the Vikings opened the playoffs with a 23-0 shut out win over the Hemingway Tigers. Latta took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and added seven runs each in the second and third and eight in the fourth to seal the win.

Travis Power pitched three innings for the win, allowing just one hit with one walk while striking out six. Jeremy Jenkins pitched the other two innings for Latta, striking out five. Hemingway’s W. Williams took the loss, pitching two innings for two hits, eight runs, eight earned runs, and six walks.

At bat for Latta, Travis Power went 2-for-3 with a triple and five RBI; Jeremy Jenkins went 2-for-2 with three RBI; Aubrey Brunson went 3-for-3 with one RBI; Christian Hendrix went 1-for-2 with one RBI; and Colby Lee picked up two RBI.

Latta had 13 hits in the win, while Hemingway was held to just one hit with four errors.

On Saturday, the Vikings hosted Whale Branch for a 21-0 win in five innings. Latta took a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and picked up two runners in the second and three in the third for a 12-0 lead. The Vikings sealed the win with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth while holding Whale Branch to just three hits.

John Kever Love earned the win on the mound, pitching three innings for one hit and five outs. Colby Lee pitched two innings for the Latta, striking out five with two hits.

Thomas Vicuna took the loss for Whale Branch, pitching four innings for 11 hits, 21 runs, 17 earned runs, 11 walks, and one out.

At bat for the Vikings, Love went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI; Dalton Lane went 1-for-1 with three RBI; Colby Lee went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI; Christian Hendrix went 1-for-1 with two RBI; and Donell Stanley had two hits in the win.

At bat for Whale Branch, Ryan Green and Thomas Felver each went 1-for-2 and Mark Hatcher went 1-for-1 in the effort.

Latta improved to 18-3 overall with the wins and will host the District VIII championship.

In the elimination bracket, Hemingway defeated Military Magnet 22-14 to stay in the playoffs and was scheduled to travel to face Whale Branch on Monday night. If Whale Branch wins, they will face the Vikings on Tuesday night. If Hemingway wins, they will face the Vikings on Wednesday.