Chicago, Ill. – The North Park team was defeated by Illinois Wesleyan by a scores of 7-2 (nine innings) and 8-5 on Sunday afternoon at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. IWU used a five-run top of the ninth, and a seven-run bottom of the seventh to fuel their come-from-behind wins.
Game 1
North Park scored in the first inning of each game and it was a two-RBI single from Rachael Feazelle that scored Ellie Manderfeld and Alyssa Malicki in the bottom of the first to shoot the Vikings ahead 2-0. Malicki was stellar in the circle for the first eight innings of the game, allowing only two hits, two runs, walking none, and striking out five. The lone Titan scoring play in regulation came off the bat of Colleen Palczynski when she hit a two-run home run in the fourth. Neither side was able to break the deadlock, so the game went to extras where the Wesleyan offense finally caught stride and scored five runs in the top of the ninth to clinch a 7-2 victory.
Game 2
An Alyssa Aragon single scored Ellie Manderfeld to put NPU up 1-0 after only the first inning of play. RBI singles from Nicole Donnawell and Feazelle later in the game cushioned the Viking lead at 3-0. After the Titans scored one run in the bottom of the fifth, IWU proved it was their day as they planted seven runs past the North Park defense en route to flipping the script for an 8-3 Wesleyan lead. NPU grabbed two RBIs from a Brigid Early single when they were down to their last out, but North Park still fell 8-5.
Quick Hits:
- Aragon and Manderfeld each tallied four hits, while Manderfeld scored three times.
- Feazelle finished the day with three RBIs to lead the Vikings.
- Malicki had six strikeouts and a 0.67 WHIP on the day.
What's Next?
North Park (15-17, 9-17 CCIW) is back home and celebrating senior day on Tuesday, April 27th when they take on Elmhurst University. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
