AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- Limited free passes and plenty of multi-hit performances put North Park Baseball back in the win column on Tuesday morning, earning their first mercy rule win of the season, 17-7, over the Mitchell College Mariners (2-9).
The Vikings had plenty of run support early, putting seven runners home through the first two innings of play.
Junior second baseman Rylan Kawakami legged out an infield single before moving into scoring position with a steal of second base. Senior center fielder Alex DiVito was hit by a pitch before a 6-4 fielder's choice off the bat of freshman first baseman John Greenwood moved Kawakami to third. A wild pitch would bring him home for the lone run in the first inning.
North Park starting pitcher, senior left hander Brett Ravitz, tossed scoreless first and third innings, allowing a pair of runs in the top of the second on a misplayed bunt and RBI double. However, the Vikings would pile on in their half of the inning.
The Vikings banged out six runs on five hits, taking advantage of three free passes by the Mariners' starting pitcher to swiftly establish a 7-2 lead. NPU batted around in the inning, stole a pair of bases, and tallied five singles to keep things moving.
A scoreless third inning gave way to an interesting fourth, where three of five hits went for extra bases, slimming North Park's lead to 7-6. Junior right hander Zach Price relieved Ravitz in the fourth and worked to establish his footing to keep NPU ahead.
The Vikings were blanked in the fourth inning but scored runs in all four of their proceeding trips to the plate, including a three-run eighth that was capped by Kawakami's walkoff, two-run triple down the right field line.
Notables
Price found his groove after that fourth inning, securing his first win of the season with four innings pitched, one earned run, and four strikeouts.
Sophomore catcher Reyn Matsuzaki led the Vikings with a 4-for-5 day at the plate, cracking a pair of doubles and scoring twice.
Kawakami, Greenwood, and junior right fielder Joe Perona all had three-hit days.
Every Viking starter reached base in the win, as Perona and DiVito crossed the plate three times each.
Greenwood led NPU with four RBI in his 3-for-4 day, building on an already impressive freshman campaign.
Mitchell's Savier Paige led the Mariners with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, including a triple late in the game.
What's Next?
North Park (2-9) concludes their Florida trip tomorrow, March 12, against the Western New England University Golden Bears (4-3). First pitch at Northeast Regional Park is set for 9:00 AM ET.
