PICTURED: 2016 Senior Class
Despite 11 hits, including an RBI triple from senior Ray Cekus, North Park couldn't overcome 18 Elmhurst hits and five uncharacteristic errors as the Bluejays defeated the Vikings 14-6 on Senior Night Friday.
Prior to the game, North Park recognized its 10 outstanding senior student-athletes – Hunter Landry, Alec Strachota, Ray Cekus, Mario Creecy, Eric Bacon, Patrick Pokrovac, Jason Meger, Jimmy Roach, Dan Sabin and John Hayes – for the hard work and dedication they've given to the program during their time.
Meger suffered the loss as he worked 6 1/3 innings on the mound. He struck out two batters and walked one as he moved his overall record to 5-4. Both Mitchell Jordan and Strachota finished 2 for 4 at the plate with Strachota driving in two runs on two bunt singles in the second and sixth innings.
Elmhurst commanded a 4-0 lead in the second inning, but North Park countered with a run in the second and two more in the third. After Cekus' three-bagger, Anthony Bragg laced an RBI single to right field which looked like a home run at first glance, but it hit the base of the fence allowing Cekus to score. Caleb Layden then connected for a run-scoring single in the sixth and James DeGeorge smacked an RBI single down the right field line in the seventh for NP's final run.
North Park (14-24, 5-14) wraps up the 2016 season tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against Elmhurst at 12 p.m.
