Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson
CHICAGO, Ill. – A Bobby Barlett infield single in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded clinched a sweep for the North Park University baseball team in their two games against Illinois Wesleyan University Friday evening at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. Game one only lasted seven innings before the Vikings took that one by way of the 10-run rule.
Game 1
The Vikings controlled every aspect of the game on the front end of the doubleheader. Richie Silva started off the scoring for NPU in the bottom of the second when his single scored Bartlett. An inning later a Jake Reinhardt triple and a Ranko Stevanovic sac-fly made it 3-0. That pair would each add two more RBIs in the fourth as the Vikings were flying up 7-0. In the fifth, a two RBI single from Jared Cantu and an RBI from Logan Peters put the hosts up 10. After an insurance run was scored by Justin Woolbright, Ethan Sund clinched the 10-run rule victory in the top of the 7th. Sund was lights out on the day going the complete game, striking out six, allowing just that one earned run, and picking up the win.
Game 2
The latter game was a bit more dramatic than the former with the visitors climbing to a 5-0 lead midway through the fourth. Reinhardt sparked the dormant North Park offense with a solo shot over the left wall to make it 5-1. Two more runs from the Titans in the top of the seventh made it 7-1 with time running out for a rally. The big at-bat came in the bottom of the seventh when Silva belted a three RBI triple off the wall to score Woolbright, Bartlett, and Brad Maurer. Soon after, Peters rocketed a hard ground ball at the Titan shortstop who couldn't hold onto it, so Silva was able to score from third base. With the score at 7-5 in the bottom of the eighth, it was again Silva coming up clutch with a ground rule double that scored Ryan Moritsugu to cut the North Park deficit to one going into the ninth.
After Brendan Russ capped off his terrific day on the mound with a shutout in the top of the inning, the top of the Viking lineup was due up in the bottom of the ninth. After Cantu and Peters drew full-walks, Reinhardt dropped down a bunt that turned into a single and an errant throw to first was able to bring in Cantu. After Stevanovic was intentionally walked, Bartlett stepped up the plate and was able to shoot a come backer up the middle that was only knocked down by the Titan shortstop, so it easily scored Peters as the winning run.
Quick Hits:
- Sund picked up the win in game one striking out six, allowing one earned run, and going the complete game.
- Russ earned the win after throwing the final seven innings of game two, he allowed three earned runs, and struck out six.
- Over both games in the doubleheader, Reinhardt batted 6-9 and got the cycle with one home run, one triple, one double, and three singles. He had four RBIs as well and he currently sits at number one in country with six triples on the season.
- Silva had ice in his veins totaling six RBIs on four hits over the course of four hits.
- Reinhardt, Woolbright and Peters all scored three runs.
- Stevanovic and Cantu finished with three and two RBIs, respectively.
What's Next?
North Park (8-7, 3-7 CCIW) will look for the season sweep over the Titans (9-9, 4-6 CCIW) as they head down the Bloomington tomorrow, Saturday, April 3rd, for one game starting at 1 p.m. at Horenberger Field.
