Thanks to Dr. Dennis Bricault for the historical info
SAUGET, Ill. – North Park baseball played three more games this past weekend, earning a 9-4 win over Transylvania after dropping a pair of games to Benedictine and 12th-ranked Webster at GCS Ballpark.
The Vikings opened play in Sauget against Benedictine and, other than an RBI single from Logan Peters in the first inning, were unable to get much offense going. Left-handed starter Bobby Bartlett pitched admirably, working 6.2 innings while fanning seven batters. However, the Eagles were able to score a pair of runs in the fourth and seventh innings and one run each in the final two frames to escape with a 6-1 victory.
Next, North Park took on host and 12th-ranked Webster University on Saturday afternoon. After a pair of scoreless innings, Webster tallied the game's first run on a Ben Swords RBI single to center field. Swords would add one more RBI single in the seventh inning as the Vikings looked to maneuver their way back into the game.
In the eighth inning, Ranko Stevanovic and Justin Swanson both drove two-out singles before Logan Peters reached first on an error by the left fielder, scoring Stevanovic. Unfortunately, Swanson was nabbed at the plate to end the inning. Bartlett reached on an infield single in the ninth inning, but that was all the offense NPU could muster as they dropped the contest, 2-1. All-Region righty Ethan Sund was charged with the hard-luck loss, scattering four hits in six innings of work while fanning five.
North Park's offense finally flipped the switch in the final game of the trip against Transylvania. Transy started the scoring with a run-scored double to left field in the first inning, but North Park would respond in the second.
Swanson continued to stay hot at the plate, leading the second inning off with a double to left field before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Bartlett would finish the job on an RBI single to tie the game, 1-1.
Transylvania neutralized the Vikings' run in their next trip to the plate, regaining the lead on another RBI double. However, the NPU offense was preparing to showcase their best inning at the plate this season.
In the fourth inning, Swanson got things started by reaching first base on an outfield error. Next, Peters singled to third base and Swanson moved up on an infield error. Keeping things moving, Bartlett doubled to right field, plating Swanson. In his first collegiate start, freshman Nathan Sommerfeld singled to center field, giving NPU a 3-2 lead when Peters scored. Fellow freshman Wilber Reyes-Delgado reached on a fielder's choice, which also happened to score Bartlett. North Park rounded out the scoring when Cole Fiorenza reached on an error, scoring Reyes-Delgado and Sommerfeld.
North Park added on in the seventh inning on a two-run single to center field off the bat of Peters and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Sommerfeld.
On the hill for NPU, Brendan Russ kept the Transy hitters off balance all game, nearly tossing a complete game in the win. Russ threw 8.2 innings and struck out seven batters before Peters got the last out via strikeout, securing a 9-4 win.
Quick Hits:
- Two hits each for Stevanovic, Bartlett against No. 12 Webster
- Sund allows only one earned run, four hits, against the Gorloks
- Russ grabs the win – 8.2 innings with 7 K's
- First career hit for Reyes-Delgado
- Bartlett with a 3-for-5 day against Transylvania as Sommereld, Peters, and Swanson all add multi-hit games
- North Park swipes seven bases against Transy – good for second most all-time
- Two steals for Sommerfeld in the win
- Vikings commit just two errors all weekend
What's Next?
North Park baseball (2-6) is looking forward to their spring break trip in Central Florida. The Vikings open play at the Central Florida Invitational against the University of Mount Union at 1:30 pm.
