PICTURED: Mitchell Jordan
North Park shelled out 12 hits and staked a 3-1 lead early but it wasn't enough as Carthage responded for six runs in the fourth inning in route to an 18-9 win to take the rubber match of the three-game series Wednesday afternoon in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Both senior Ray Cekus and Mitchell Jordan went 3 for 5 at the plate with a combined four RBI – including a solo home run from Cekus in the third inning and a two-RBI double from Jordan which gave the Vikes a 6-5 advantage – but the Red Men overcame the deficit with six runs on six hits in the fourth to earn their 10th win of the season.
Viking starter Jimmy Park took the loss on the mound as he went 2 1/3 innings. Brandon Hrdlicka earned the victory for Carthage as he went six innings in relief and struck out three batters. Red Men leadoff hitter Jordan Wiegold was a near perfect at the plate as he finished 4 for 5 with a double and three RBI. Carthage also connected for two solo home runs and combined for 19 hits.
North Park (7-14, 1-4) looks to rebound this weekend when it hosts North Central College for a 12 p.m. doubleheader Saturday, followed by a single game at 1 p.m. in Naperville Sunday.
