CLERMONT, Fla. – North Park Softball dropped two more games to conclude their Florida trip on Friday. The Vikings lost a heartbreaker in walkoff fashion to Ohio Wesleyan, 8-7, before a 14-2 loss to Lawrence.

Game 1: Ohio Wesleyan 8, North Park 7

North Park was first on the board when sophomore third baseman Kathryn Keehn scored sophomore first baseman Dora Cihocki on what would be one of her two doubles against the Battling Bishops. Viking starter Maya Lafnear worked three perfect innings before the Battling Bishops scored four in their half of the fourth on five hits, including doubles from Anspach and Moore. 

In the top half of the fourth, North Park had posted a pair of runs when sophomore left fielder Eden Baker singled and moved up on a stolen base, Cihocki moved her to third on a sac bunt, and Keehn doubled her home down the left field line. Sophomore catcher Katie Patton added the second run on an RBI single through the right side, plating Keehn.

Ohio Wesleyan added one more run on an error in the fifth inning, but the Vikings were primed for their best inning yet.

In the top of the sixth, North Park drove four hits and drew a pair of walks, bringing four runners across the plate. The Battling Bishops were nearing only their second loss of the season.

However, with two outs Ohio Wesleyan drove four-straight hits, with the walkoff drive coming off the bat of Anspach - a two-run double to score Cegledy and Panozzo.

Game 2: Lawrence 14, North Park 2 (5 Inn.)

Once again, things were going well for the Vikings early. Baker, now in the circle, gave up a leadoff single before sitting the next three Lawrence hitters down.

In NPU's half of the inning, sophomore center fielder Kayla Sapolu singled up the middle and advanced to second on senior right fielder Isa Santos's walk. Sophomore shortstop Kayla Lorenz singled to left, plating Sapolu, before a sac fly by Baker brought home Santos. This 2-0 lead would remain for NPU until the top of the fourth, when Lawrence scored nine runs on six hits and three walks.

Lawrence would add five more in the fifth, finishing the game early.

Historical Note:

Keehn becomes the fifth player in NPU softball history, after Coach Katie Anderson, Nicole Kruckman, Hayley Jackson, and Alyssa Aragon, who has had three different two-double games at the plate over the course of her career.

North Park (2-7) looks to snap its skid during its home opener this coming Monday, March 18, against Concordia (IL). The doubleheader against the Cougars is set for 3:00 PM CT.