NORTHWOOD — The Northwood-Kensett Vikings were looking for their first win of the young season when they hosted North Butler Thursday evening.

Bearcats pitcher Taylor Graven made it extremely difficult on the Vikings all night, as she threw a shutout while striking out  14 and leading her team to a 5-0 victory.

The Bearcats struck for two runs in the early innings, then added another run in the third inning on a long homer over the  fence in left centerfield by Nicole Heeren.

On the mound, Graven struck out the side in the third and fourth inning.

Things got ineteresting in the seventh inning, though, and it looked like the Vikings might make a comeback.

The inning started with a single, then the Bearcats had poor communication on a pop-fly that landed just beyond shortstop.

With no out and two on, Graven felt her first pressure all evening.

It didn’t seem to bother her much, though. After a short meeting on the mound, she settled down and retired the next three batters, two via strikeouts.

She held the Vikings to just three hits — all singles — over seven innings.

The loss drops the Vikings to 0-3 on the season.

The Vikings will host Latimer Tuesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.