PICTURED: Jason Meger (Photo by Scott Smith)
Thanks to a four-run third inning, North Park extended its win streak to two games with a 6-4 win over Millikin University in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.
The Vikings unfortunately fell 7-3 in the nightcap, but it certainly didn't overshadow the offensive production NP showcased in Game 1 and a stellar complete-game performance it received from senior pitcher Jason Meger.
Meger tossed nine solid innings, giving up only one extra base hit while striking out four batters and walking none. He improved his overall record to 4-2.
Despite falling behind 1-0 early, North Park erased the deficit quickly as it captured a four-run lead after three innings. Anthony Bragg connected for an RBI single as did Alec Strachota and Bragg stole home on a double-steal attempt, highlighting the offensive output. Millikin tallied another run in the fourth via a home run, but North Park responded with another tally in the fifth when Cullen Gilbertson singled and scored on David Scholz' RBI groundout to the shortstop.
In all, the Vikings connected for nine hits with Bragg finishing the game 3 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. Mitchell Jordan went 2 for 3 and both Cam Adams and Bragg had a stolen base.
A second inning RBI groundout gave Millikin an early 1-0 lead in the second game, but NP came back to tie it in the bottom half when Adams drove in Bragg (error) on a groundout. Things stayed even for the next four innings until Millikin struck for a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh. A Ray Cekus two-RBI single up the middle trimmed the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh, but Millikin finished off the game with two more in the eighth to earn the victory.
North Park (10-18, 3-8) returns to action tomorrow afternoon when it hosts Millikin for the final game of its three-game set at 12:30 p.m.
