Bloomington, Ill. – The North Park softball team held the lead for most of the game against Carthage College on Thursday afternoon, but the Vikings allowed six runs in the bottom of the fifth that let the Firebirds to take the game by a score of 8-1 to open CCIW tournament play.
NPU got on the board first when all-CCIW first teamer Alyssa Aragon got on first with a walk, only to be driven home by a gapper from fellow all-CCIW pick Racheal Feazelle. That gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead that would not be threatened for the next four innings due to Alyssa Malicki's solid pitching in the circle, as well as three diving catches by Brigid Early in right field and an impressive throw out from Early to Erin Penn to tag a potential tying run out at home and end the third inning.
The Firebird offense got hot in the bottom of the fifth, using six hits and two NPU errors to score six runs. Freshman pitcher Katie Creager came on midway through the inning and was able to get the Vikings out of a bases loaded jam with no more damage done. Carthage added a two-run homer in the sixth, all but extinguishing a chance at an NPU comeback.
Quick Hits:
- Alyssa Aragon had an 0-for-0 day with three walks, and that NPU run scored.
- Nicole Donnawell was the only Viking with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 on the day.
- Starting pitcher Alyssa Malicki struck out three, allowing two earned runs.
What's Next?
No. 6 North Park (19-19, 13-19 CCIW) will now play No. 9 Elmhurst on Saturday in the next round of the double elimination CCIW tourney. First pitch for that game is 12 p.m. at Inspiration Field in Bloomington.
