2013 North Park Baseball Schedule

After a repeat as College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) champions and an NCAA tournament bid in 2012, the 2013 Vikings baseball team enters the year appearing in Collegiate Baseball's preseason poll.  The Vikings appeared in the receiving votes category, on the strength of a 32-14 record and several key returning players. 

“With continued success comes some national attention.  Our guys know that this is a reflection of what they have done and what they return.  Next year's poll will be a reflection of what they do this year.  Keeping that in perspective is critical.  We have a nice mix of returning talent and new faces to help our cause,” states head coach Luke Johnson.

The Vikings will be battle tested early and often.  They open up with a weekend trip to #4 Birmingham Southern College, playing the hosts twice.  The following weekend they will square off at #9 Webster University, as well as NCAA qualifier Washington University and 2011 World Series participant Buena Vista.  Their spring trip will begin in Southern California with two games against NCAA qualifier University of LaVerne, and finish in Tucson with a rematch from last year's Midwest Regional elimination game with #15 UW-LaCrosse, among other teams.  The Vikings then open up at home with #28 Aurora University, and host NCAA West regional participant St. Johns (MN) in a double header.  All of this is prior to starting CCIW play.  Illinois Wesleyan was represented in the poll as well, giving NPU 13 games against NCAA tournament teams from 2012, with the same number of games against teams appearing in the preseason poll.

“Our non-conference schedule is very good.  Our out of league opponents averaged almost 28 wins a year in 2012.  It's loaded with teams who have a great shot to be NCAA tournament teams again in 2013, and we're excited about the challenge.  Our league will continue to be one of the finest in the country, and it will be very balanced.  By the time CCIW play begins, we'll be ready.”