AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The North Park University baseball team utilized a handful of clutch moments to grab a hard-earned 7-5 victory over the University of Dubuque Spartans on Sunday, March 8.

After Viking starter Tyler Banks got two quick outs with a strikeout and popup in the first inning, a single up the middle and RBI triple plated the first run of the game for the Spartans.

However, in their first trip to the plate the Vikings got the run back and then some. Sophomore right fielder Logan Peters singled up the middle and moved up on senior Jake Reinhardt's single into left-center. Next, senior third baseman Justin Woolbright drove an RBI single through the right side, plating Peters. Freshman first baseman Bobby Bartlett capped the scoring with an RBI groundout, as the Vikings held a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

Through the next three innings, Banks navigated the Dubuque lineup without surrendering a run. 

The Spartans got the offense going in the fifth inning, marking three runs on three hits, but the Vikings grabbed the lead back in their half of the frame.

Sophomore designated hitter Ryan Moritsugu drew a hit by pitch and moved up to second on a failed pickoff attempt. Next, sophomore catcher Nick Cecchi dropped down a perfectly-placed bunt for a hit to move Moritsugu to third base. Knotting the game up, junior center fielder Jared Cantu reached on a fielder's choice to plate Moritsugu. Following a stolen base for Cantu, Reinhardt legged out an infield single to bring home Cantu, giving the Vikings a 5-4 lead.

Two more scoreless innings went by before the Spartans tied the game with a run in the eighth inning. A leadoff single and wild pitch put a runner in scoring position before an RBI double kept the Spartans threatening with no outs.

Moving from third base to the mound, Woolbright stifled the Spartans' rally. After a passed ball put the runner on third base, Woolbright induced a groundout. Next, the Spartans attempted a suicide squeeze bunt that could not get far enough from the plate as sophomore catcher Nick Cecchi corralled the ball and tagged the would-be go-ahead run out at the plate.

The final out of the inning was recorded in odd fashion. Following an infield error, and the field umpire deciding Reinhardt missed the tag at third base, a short rundown resulted in a 5-4-6-2 putout; the runner attempted to sneak home while the infield was distracted by the call.

Cantu provided the spark in the Vikings' half of the eighth inning when he lined a two-hopper off the left field wall for a leadoff double. Next, Peters dropped down a sac bunt to move Cantu to third base. The Spartans elected not to pitch to the red-hot bat of Reinhardt, attempting to look for a double play ball. However, Reinhardt nullified this by promptly stealing second base as both runners were in scoring position for Woolbright. Helping himself out, Woolbright drove in Cantu and Bartlett followed suit with an RBI single to plate Reinhardt.

With one more chance to score, the Spartans could not get anything going off Woolbright; the right-hander kept a perfect slate in the ninth inning, striking out two to secure the 7-5 victory.

FINAL: North Park 7, Dubuque 5

Quick Hits:

• Reinhardt and Woolbright both marked multi-hit games
• Cantu, Woolbright, and Bartlett all tallied a pair of RBIs
• Cantu slugged the lone extra-base hit for the Vikings
• Banks had a quality start in six innings pitched, fanning seven batters while allowing three earned runs
• Woolbright grabbed his first win of the season in two perfect innings of work and a pair of K's

What's Next?

North Park (4-5) takes on Rhode Island College Monday, March 9, in Auburndale, Fla. First pitch is slated for 1:45 p.m. EST.