CHICAGO, Ill. – North Park Softball earned a pair of wins against the Trinity Christian College Trolls on Friday afternoon. The Vikings banged out 16 hits in 12 innings and limited the Trolls to just one run on the day.
Game One: North Park 3, Trinity Christian 1
The first two innings saw both teams struggling to find their rhythm, with neither side managing to score. North Park's Raquel Hare and Trinity Christian's Myleigh Halmon each tossed a pair of scoreless innings before the Trolls broke the deadlock in the third inning. Erianna Clau singled down the right field line, advanced to second on a stolen base, and eventually scored on a single by Myleigh Halm, giving Trinity Christian a 1-0 lead.
North Park responded strongly in the fourth inning. Junior right fielder Sydney Snyder walked and advanced to second on a single by junior catcher Katie Patton. Next, sophomore designated player Bella Frohwirth reached on a fielder's choice, and with bases loaded, junior center fielder Eden Baker delivered a crucial single up the middle, driving in two runs and giving North Park a 2-1 lead.
The fifth inning saw North Park extend their lead when junior third baseman Kathryn Keehn singled through the left side, followed by a single from Snyder. Patton was hit by a pitch, loading the bases once again. Frohwirth reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Keehn to score, giving NPU the 3-1 advantage.
Hare enjoyed another quality start en route to her third win of the season. The freshman fanned four batters and surrendered just one earned run.
Game Two: North Park 8, Trinity Christian 0 (5 Inn.)
North Park's bats came alive in the second inning, scoring six runs to take a commanding lead in game two. Singles from Kathryn Keehn and Sydney Snyder set the stage, followed by sophomore first baseman Dora Cihocki's single to center field, which, alongside a throwing error, allowed Keehn to score. Eden Baker then singled up the middle, driving in another run. Maddy Tan walked with the bases loaded and Kayla Lorenz capped off the inning with a double to left field, clearing the bases and driving in three runs. North Park added another run in the third inning when freshman center fielder Kaylie Periera singled to left center, driving in pinch runner Arianna Gutierrez. The final run came in the fifth inning from Baker's single through the right side, driving in Bella Frohwirth for an NPU walkoff.
Incidentally, that walkoff sealed Baker's own win in her return to the circle. She tied a season high with six strikeouts and allowed only two hits in her five-inning shutout. Baker helped herself out by going 3-for-4 at the plate in game two with a pair of RBI.
What's Next?
North Park (13-15) travels to Carroll University tomorrow, April 19, for a doubleheader with the Pioneers. First pitch at Kilgour Field is set for 1:00 PM CT.
