T. JOHN — Zack Zborowski wants a few more at-bats.

A designated hitter usually bats for the Valparaiso pitcher when he’s on the mound. Zborowski had a bat in his hand in the sixth inning Wednesday when he slapped a double that brought in two runs and gave the Vikings the lead for good.

“He’s going to make me eat my own words say ‘See coach, I told you,’” Vikings coach Todd Evans said.

The junior gave up two runs over six innings, scattering eight hits and four walks.

The Times No. 6 Vikings topped No. 3 Lake Central 4-2 in a Duneland Athletic Conference meeting.

“I haven’t had many at bats this year. I wanted to prove myself today,” Zborowski said. “I think I did.”

Lake Central (9-3, 6-2) opened the scoring when Jake Dykstra scored from second base on a passed ball in the second inning. Dykstra was pinch running for Hunter Zahorsky.

The Indians then loaded the bases with no outs but Vikings southpaw Zack Zborowski got out of it with two pop outs and a strike out.

“In a game like that, you come out and score first and we have a chance to get about three or four runs in that inning and don’t,” L.C. coach Mike Swartzentruber said. “All of the sudden, you’re up and then who knows?”

Not to be outdone, L.C. starter Zack Dobos put the first two batters on base in the fifth before retiring the next three.

Jared Bais scored in the fourth on a Joe Wells sacrifice fly to make the lead 2-0.

“Yesterday, we lose (to Lake Central) 11-2. We’ve lost three DAC games by nine, 10, 11 runs,” Evans said. “We woke up this morning. We hit early. These guys wanted to do that and they had a good mindset coming into today. Hopefully, we can carry that forward.”

Zborowski helped Valparaiso (7-4, 3-3) keep things close by picking off a pair of runners in the fourth and fifth inning.

“I always feel like I play good here. I don’t know what it is but I just feel like I can throw all my pitches where I want, how I want,” Zborowski said.

Dobos cracked in the sixth.

Charlie Healy drove in a run with a single to cut the deficit in half. Dobos then walked in a run before Zborowski doubled in two more.

“You could just see it coming. It’s 2-0, 2-0 and we’ve blown some chances,” Swartzentruber said. “They took advantage. You’ve got to credit them.”

The Indians came ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Prep Baseball Report.

“This is a great (win),” Zborowski said. “We need all the momentum we can have. It so easy to be down on these games but we came back and somehow pulled a win. It feels really good.”

No. 6 Valparaiso 4, No. 3 Lake Central 2.

The Vikings scored all four runs in the sixth inning.