NAPERVILLE, Ill. – North Park softball swept North Central College on Thursday afternoon, bolstering their College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) record to an impressive 5-1.

Game 1: NPU over NCC 1-0

Freshman hurler Maya Lafnear was the key to the game one win. Lafnear was perfect through the first two innings, not giving up a hit until a two-out single in the third. North Central starter Lauren Bowmar was equally impressive in the circle, keeping a high-powered North Park offense mostly quiet. 

North Park manufactured the one and only run of the game when Katie Patton doubled to right field in the fifth inning and scored on a two-out infield error.

In total, Lafnear threw her 11th complete game, allowing just four hits and a walk to shut out the Cardinals' offense.

Game 2: NPU over NCC 7-4

North Park got on the board right away in game two when Isa Santos scored on a passed ball and Emily Reczek plated Alyssa Malicki on a double to left field in the first inning. The Cardinals surrendered a run in the second when an infield error off the bat of Eden Baker allowed Patton to score.

The two teams traded a run in the fourth and fifth innings on a Bowmar and Satnos RBI single. The Vikings extended their lead to 6-1 in the fifth when Kayla Lorenz singled home Santos and a single through the left side of the infield by Maddy Tan brought Lorenz home. 

North Central began to mount a late comeback in the sixth inning after and RBI sac fly and two-run homer by Bowmar. However, Viking starter Alyssa Malicki sat the Cardinals down in order in the seventh to secure a 7-4 win and the sweep.

What's Next?

North Park (13-13-1, 5-1 CCIW) looks forward to the challenge of CCIW leader Millikin University tomorrow, April 14, for a Chicago doubleheader. First pitch at Holmgren is set for 3:00 PM CT.