Box Score

In the opening round of the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament, North Park came out on the short end of an 8-7 decision against #23 College of St. Scholastica.

The game started out in promising fashion.  The Saints' Parker Olson hit a one-out double off Steve Kuligowski but was picked off to end the threat.  In the bottom of the first, the Vikings scored three times on a walk to Zak Worsley, a single by Ryan Javech, an error, a two-run single by Joe Belmonte, and an RBI grounder off the bat of Kyle Williams.  They extended their lead with a run in the second on a single by Mike Coduto and a double by Eric Sousanes.

The Saints rebounded with a run-scoring double in the third by Andy Schwantes then tied the score in the fourth on three unearned runs – a leadoff grounder was bobbled, and two singles followed by another Schwantes double drew the Saints even.

North Park scored twice in the bottom of the fourth.  Sousanes drew a one-out walk, Matt Rice and Worsley each singled to load the bases, and a fielder's choice (Javech) and a single (Tony Sanchez) put the Vikings back on top, 6-4.

A walk to leadoff the sixth and the third double by Schwantes drew St. Scholastica to within a run.  The Vikings got the run back in their half of the sixth as Worsley doubled, took third on a grounder and scampered home when an attempted back-door pickoff throw was off the mark.

St. Scholastica tied the score again with a pair of two-out runs in the seventh on two singles sandwiched around a double, but Alex Silverthorne was summoned from the bullpen to record the third out on a fly ball.  The Saints added the definitive run in the eight against reliever Merrick McGrady (0-2), who gave up a two-out walk and a double, the Saints' sixth of the day.  North Park threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth as Belmonte hit a leadoff single, and pinch-runner Sean Witt took second and then third on a sacrifice and a groundout.  Coduto hit a grounder up the middle, but it was corralled by the Saints' shortstop, who fired to first to retire Coduto by half a step to end the game.

The Vikings (32-13) will face either UW La Crosse in an elimination game on Thursday at 1 p.m.