Chicago, Ill. – The North Park softball team took advantage of a depleted Elmhurst roster, winning by an 8-0 margin in only five innings of work on Tuesday afternoon. Alyssa Malicki was unstoppable in the circle and at the plate, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and picking up the pitching win.
It was an all-senior trio that got North Park on the board first as Caitlyn Webb hit a double over the head of the Elmhurst left fielder that scored Ellie Manderfeld and Erin Penn to put NPU up 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Soon after, Malicki rocked a moon shot off the top of the clubhouse over the left field fence to balloon the lead to 4-0 after one inning.
More Vikings got in on the action in the third when Alyssa Aragon doubled into left field, scoring Penn. RBI groundouts by Rachael Feazelle and Emily Reczek made it 7-0, before Brigid Early's double scored Malicki and gave NPU the eight-run cushion they needed for the mercy rule.
Malicki pitched for the first four innings, allowing four hits, striking out four batters, and walking nobody. Katie Creager came on for the final frame, and, after walking the leadoff batter, induced a 6-3 double play and a popout to Fix at first base to end the game in an 8-0 North Park victory.
Quick Hits:
- Every North Park starter either reached base or grabbed an RBI, some did both.
- Webb had twos across the board – two hits, two runs, two RBIs.
- Malicki was the other Viking with two RBIs, both coming on that home run. She also scored twice.
- Penn was the other North Park player with two runs scored.
What's Next?
North Park (16-17, 10-17 CCIW) will finish two previously halted games against Wheaton on Friday, April 30th at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. First pitch of the first restart will be at 3 p.m.
