Thanks to Paige Wilcox & Virginia Smith for the pictures

CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University baseball team eliminated a five-run deficit with a string of timely hitting to take down the Carthage Firebirds in 10 innings, 8-7, on Tuesday night.

What ended up becoming a battle of defensive personnel and big hits started off as a low-scoring ballgame on Tuesday afternoon. Carthage starter Troy Siranovic and North Park starter Brett Brueske navigated a scoreless first two frames before the Firebirds marked the game's first run in the third inning.

The Vikings knotted everything up in the fourth when Nick Cecchi drove a double down the left field line and off the fence to plate Alex DiVito. North Park extended its lead when Cole Fiorenza drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning, but the Carthage bats would come alive in the Firebirds next trip to the plate.

Carthage utilized two sacrifice bunts and five hits, including a three-run homer by Tostrud, in the seventh inning to pull ahead 8-2.

However, the Vikings responded with their biggest inning of the night in their very next trip to the plate. 

After Justin Swanson drew a walk and Ranko Stevanovic was hit by a pitch, DiVito loaded the bases with a single down the left field line. Next, after a fly out not quite deep enough, Nathan Sommerfeld was hit by a pitch to plate a run. In yet another high pressure, pinch hitting spot, Richie Silva drove the first pitch he saw to the right field fence, clearing the bases for a three-run double.

Now an 8-6 game, Carthage would tack on one more run in the eighth, but the Vikings were not done scoring quite yet.

Meanwhile, Viking reliever Frank Kalemba maintained his momentum from Saturday's relief appearance against Millikin, keeping the Firebird hitters unsettled through his entire outing. 

Bobby Bartlett led the eighth inning off with a line drive single into right center and Swanson was plunked once more to put runners on first and second. Next, after a pitching change, Stevanovic hit one of the longest home runs seen at the Holmgren Athletic Complex this season, one-hopping the softball bullpen and tying the game with a three-run moonshot.

After a scoreless ninth inning and 1-2-3 inning for Kalemba (with a pair of K's) in the top of the 10th, the Vikings were due up once more.

Swanson got things going with a ground rule double to left center before Carthage elected to intentionally walk Stevanovic. To eliminate the double play, Coach Luke Johnson pulled off a successful double steal as Swanson moved to third and Stevanovic swiped second.

Coming through in a clutch spot once more, DiVito dropped down a perfect squeeze bunt, giving the Vikings a 10-9 win in walkoff fashion.

Quick Hits:

• First career win for Kalemba, who allowed just two hits and punched out five in his four innings of work
• Brueske also pitched well – three innings and as many strikeouts while allowing just one run
• Bartlett, Swanson, and DiVito all with two-hit games
• Big-time extra-base hits for Swanson, Cecchi, Silva, and Stevanovic
• 20 Vikings (16 position players) see the field in the walkoff win
• DiVito drops down a perfect squeeze bunt to seal the deal

What's Next?

North Park (9-14, 3-2 CCIW) will host eighth-ranked North Central College this coming Friday, April 15. First pitch for the Holmgren doubleheader is set for 1pm.