The first three innings were kind to the Northwood-Kensett baseball team on Wednesday, as it held a 5-2 lead after three innings against North Butler.

The last four innings, however, were a different story.

The Bearcats scored 15 runs in the last four innings to defeat Northwood-Kensett 17-6 in a Corn Bowl conference clash.

“It was a tough loss,” Northwood-Kensett baseball coach Mike Reindl said. “One thing this team doesn’t do very well is comeback when things aren’t working.”

Things started out well for the Vikings as the bats went to work in the second inning.

Northwood-Kensett’s Spencer Capitani hit a two-run double and Derick Varner drilled a two-run single to spark the Vikings to a 5-1 lead after two.

“The bats is what has kept this team in the games,” Reindl said. “ As a team we were batting .400 coming into this game and we’ve been averaging nine runs a game.”

While the Vikings had a great second inning, North Butler responded with an even better fourth inning.

The Bearcats put six runs on the board, as Robbie Rottler and Casey Krull both delivered two-run singles and Reese Kock added an RBI double to put North Butler ahead for good 8-5.

During the inning, Northwood-Kensett committed three errors, which helped put several runs across the plate for the Bearcats.

Overall, the Vikings committed nine errors during the game.

“Once that one error started, its like a tumble,” Reindl said. “One right after another. Kids are trying to do too much instead of learning to play as a team.”

Torin Newell took the loss for Northwood-Kensett, as he pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs before leaving with an injury in the fourth inning.

Steve Kruse went six innings and struck out nine to get the win for North Butler.

The Vikings are back in action tonight, when they host Lake Mills.

North Butler 17, Northwood-Kensett 6

North Butler 011 614 4 — 17 6 2

N-K 050 010 0 — 6 8 9

WP —Steve Kruse 6 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 9 K

LP— Torin Newell 3.1 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 3 K