SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

Community’s season came to a close in the District 9-AA Tournament, but not before the Vikings delivered their biggest win of the year and showed continued growth under first-year head coach Parker Gunn.

Community – 7, Forrest – 6

Community wasted little time setting the tone — then had to battle to the final out to keep its season alive. The No. 5 seed Vikings built an early lead and held off a late push from No. 4 Forrest to secure a 7-6 upset victory in the District 9-AA play-in game.

Community plated three runs in the first inning and added four more in the second to take control early.

That fast start proved crucial as Forrest chipped away over the middle innings and made things tight late.

The Vikings finished with six hits but made them count. Dylan Markum led the way, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Josh Powers added a double and an RBI, while Brody Armstrong scored twice and added a hit. Masyn Hill and Bryce Blanton each contributed hits and RBIs.

Wes Haley got the start on the mound, working into the third inning before Logan Reed came on in relief and delivered a key performance. Reed tossed 4.1 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out five to earn the save and preserve the win.

Loretto – 9, Community – 1

Community couldn’t overcome an early deficit Thursday night, falling 9-1 to top seeded Loretto in the second round.

The Mustangs struck quickly and kept pressure on throughout, while the Vikings struggled to generate offense, finishing with just two hits.

Brody Armstrong and Wes Haley accounted for Community’s hits, while Boone Gray drove in the lone run.

Maddox Thompson started on the mound for the Vikings, with Kade Hasty providing the bulk of the work in relief.

Summertown – 3, Community – 2

A strong effort on the mound from Logan Reed and a clutch swing from Isaiah Beech weren’t quite enough Friday night, as Community came up just short in a 3-2 loss to Summertown.

After Summertown plated two runs in the first inning, the Vikings answered in the second. Beech delivered Community’s biggest swing of the night, blasting a two-run homer to left field to tie the game.

Reed turned in a solid complete-game effort, working all six innings while allowing eight hits and three runs — only two earned — with three walks and one strikeout.

After the opening frame, he settled in and kept the Vikings within striking distance the rest of the way. Summertown broke the 2-2 tie with a run in the fifth, and Community was unable to answer late.

The Vikings close the season with a 7-26 record, but showed steady growth under Gunn. Community highlighted that progress with a postseason upset of Forrest and pushed Summertown to the brink of elimination in a competitive tournament run.