PICTURED: Greg Grana
North Park struck early and often as put runs across in almost every inning of its 16-3 win over visiting Northland College in non-conference action Thursday night.
The Vikings connected for 21 hits as the offensive effort was epitomized by a solo home run from Mitchell Jordan and a three-run home run from Greg Grana as NP earned its third win in the last four games heading into conference play this weekend.
An RBI single from Nate Simons sparked the offense in the first inning for NP as it plated four runs in the frame. After a sacrifice fly RBI from Anthony Bragg in the second and Jordan's solo shot in the third made it a 6-0 affair, the Vikings put five more across in the fourth on Grana's three-run shot to right-center field and an RBI double from Tyler Woolbright.
NP starting pitcher Ryne Sack cruised to his first collegiate victory as he tossed two solid innings and struck out one batter. Five different pitchers saw innings with Cody Leuzinger logging the most at three frames. Combined, Viking hurlers fanned four batters and induced four double plays.
North Park finished off the scoring with two runs in the fifth via an RBI single from Woolbright and a run-scoring double from Jordan, two more in the seventh and one in the eighth on David Scholz' run-scoring single up the middle.
North Park (6-10) opens CCIW play with Carthage College Saturday afternoon. The Vikings host the Red Men for a 12 p.m. doubleheader.
