PICTURED: Tyler Woolbright
Although the Vikings finished the 2016 season with a subpar record, they ended the campaign with a statement by racking up 17 hits and scoring five runs in the sixth inning of an 11-5 win over Elmhurst College in the finale for both teams Saturday afternoon in Elmhurst.
Sophomore pitcher and Elmhurst native James Pagni dominated on the mound as he worked six innings. He struck out four batters and walked only two while giving up only two earned runs.
NP more than compensated for the hard-throwing left-hander as it struck early and often against the Bluejays. Despite a 13-8 setback in the first game of the doubleheader Saturday, the Vikings left no doubt they'd be going into the offseason on a high note. North Park took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Tyler Woolbright singled home Ray Cekus (error) and Mitchell Jordan drove in Anthony Bragg (single) on a double.
Pagni meanwhile was dealing in the early going as he recorded three of his four strikeouts in the second and third innings. He earned back-to-back Ks in the third and picked off the third hitter on a steal attempt after her reached base on a single.
Despite Elmhurst tying the score at 2-2 in the fourth, North Park exploded with five in the sixth when both Caleb Layden and Cullen Gilbertson connected for run-scoring singles just after senior Alec Strachota ripped a two-run double to the put the Vikings in command for good.
After an RBI sacrifice fly from Cekus in the ninth – which allowed Strachota (walk) to score – North Park seemingly had the decision in the driver's seat, but Elmhurst countered with three runs in the bottom half of the frame to cut the deficit to six. Staying cool and calm however, senior John Hayes came on relief and finished his career strong by getting the last batter to fly out to right which left the bases loaded and snapped a two-game win streak for the Bleujays.
In Game 1, Woolbright finished 3 for 6 with an RBI and three runs scored. His RBI groundout in the first inning gave the Vikings an early 1-0 lead which they later turned to a 4-0 advantage, but Elmhurst tallied eight runs in the bottom of the eighth to earn the victory. Â
North Park ends the season with a 15-25 overall record and a 6-15, seventh place finish in the CCIW.
