DAVENPORT, Fla. -- North Park University Baseball was on the losing end of a pitchers' duel on Wednesday morning, falling to the Western New England University Golden Bears (5-3), 4-1, on getaway day.

The Vikings needed to catch a few breaks against Golden Bear starting pitcher Jacob Hobart, who would end up pitching all nine innings. North Park made hard contact early, evidenced by five lineouts in five innings, but never broke through against Hobart. The junior right hander allowed just five hits (all singles), one run, and five strikeouts against just one walk.

Hobart battled with North Park starting pitcher Samuel Jackson, who blanked the Golden Bears through five innings. Jackson's day ended in the top of the sixth following a solo home run by Jack Loftus, the lone run he allowed in this outing. He finished the day with five innings pitched, six strikeouts, six hits allowed, and just one walk.

Loftus would leave the yard again int he seventh inning, this time a three-run shot, to guide WNEU to the 4-1 win over NPU.

The Vikings' offense was led by junior right fielder Joe Perona, who went 1-for-3 with a run scored and stolen base.

What's Next?

North Park (2-10) looks to get back on track at home, hosting a doubleheader with Lawrence University (0-3) on Saturday, March 15. Game one at the Holmgren Athletic Complex is slated for a 1:00 PM CT start.