CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park Vikings played their home opener against the Eureka College Red Devils, winning the contest 18-4 in seven innings. The Vikings set a new single-game steals record with nine, led by three from sophomore outfielder Joe Perona.
Junior left hander Brett Ravitz made his first collegiate start on the mound, going 5.0 innings while surrendering three runs on four hits, punching out three hitters. Ravitz also earned his first collegiate win in the home opener. Senior left hander Brett Brueske came in to pitch in the 6th, allowing just one hit while retiring each Red Devil hitter via strikeout.
Junior outfielder Nate Sommerfeld cracked his first long ball of the year, crushing a three-run homer to left-center in the fifth inning.
The Vikings set a single-game stolen base record with nine bags in today's contest. Perona led the steals effort with 3, followed by senior second baseman Justin Swanson (2), junior outfielder Alex DiVito (1), Sommerfeld (1), junior shortstop Reece Arakaki (1), and senior third baseman Ethan Raspolich (1).
Senior left hander Mason Carlisle worked the 7th inning, surrendering one run and and striking out one.
- DiVito goes 3-for-4, scoring 2 runs and knocking in 3 runners
- Perona goes 2-for-3, walking twice, stealing 3 bags, and scoring 3 runs
- Swanson draws three hit-by-pitch at-bats
- Ravitz earns first collegiate win: 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 Ks
The Vikings will face Concordia University tomorrow, March 20th at 3:00 pm at home.
