CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park Vikings hosted a non-conference opponent in Dominican University Monday afternoon. The Vikings slaughtered the Stars in 8 innings with a final score of 14-4.
Junior southpaw Brett Ravitz gets the nod, knocking down the first three batters he faced. The Vikings got to work early, starting with a leadoff walk from Joe Perona. Perona steals second and third before Alex DiVito can draw a walk. DiVito swipes second and then Justin Swanson reaches on an error by the short stop, scoring Perona and moving DiVito to third. Swanson stelas the 4th bag of the game before Bobby Bartlett draws a walk to load the bases. Reece Arakaki scores DiVito with an RBI single to left. Garrett Bragg picks up the elusive RBI hit by pitch to score Swanson. A wild pitch scores Bartlett and North Park takes an early 4-0 lead.
The Stars threaten in the top of the 2nd with back-to-back singles to open the inning. Ravitz locks in and gets out of the jam.
The Vikings score one run in the 2nd after DiVito reaches on another walk before stealing second. Swanson scores him with a ground rule double to deep center field.
Dominican knocks a single through the left side and scores on an error in left on the next play. North Park still leads 5-1.
The Vikings get the run back after Bragg and Reyn Matsuzaki wear back-to-back pitches. Bragg shows off his quick feet after tagging up on a Carlos Martinez fly ball to right. Perona scores Bragg with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Dominican scores two runs in the top of the fifth off of a double and a homerun.
Chase Duffy gets the call in relief, making quick work of the Stars' hitters.
Swanson hits a line drive off the press box in right center for a solo home run to start the bottom of the 6th.
Bartlett drops down a bunt for a hit before Arakaki singles through the left side, advancing Bartlett to third. Bragg picks up the RBI with a sac-fly line drive to right field.
Duffy picks up two quick outs before a solo shot to centerfield makes the game 8-4.
Perona legs out a one-out triple to left-center to start another good inning for North Park.
This set up DiVito up for a RBI single up the middle. Swanson grounds into a fielder's choice and DiVito is out at second. Sommerfeld advances Swan with a single through the left side and Bartlett follows with an RBI single to right center. North Park leads 10-4.
Duffy shuts down the Stars in the top of the 8th. Then Bragg works his way to a leadoff walk. Cole Fiorenza picks up a pinch-hit line drive into center field, moving Bragg to 3rd. Martinez walks to load the bases and Perona cranks a ground rule double to left center to score 2 runs. DiVito scratches a run across with a sac-fly ot right. Swanson draws a walk and Sommerfeld is intentionally walked before Bobby Bartlett calls game with a single up the middle. Vikings win via mercy rule with a final score of 14-4 in the 8th.
- Bobby Bartlett goes 3-for-4 with 2 walks, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
- Joe Perona records a 2-for-3 day, scoring 3 runs, knocking 3 RBIs, while walking twice and stealing two bags
- Justin Swanson knocks two extra-base hits, scores 3 runs, 3 RBIs, and swipes two bags
- Nate Sommerfeld picks up two hits and steals two bags
- Brett Ravitz improves his record to 3-1 after throwing 5.0 IP, allowing 2 ER, no walks, and striking out 3
- Chase Duffy picks up his first save of the year, tossing 3.0 IP, with 1 K and 1 ER
The Vikings resume conference with a quick turnaround on Tuesday, April 23, at home against Wheaton. First pitch is set for a unique 4:30 PM slot.
