CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park University Softball enjoyed a come-from-behind win, one of the largest in program history, in an eventual 11-10 walkoff win in game one against Kalamazoo. The Vikings dropped game two, 9-6, but several Vikings enjoyed big days at the plate.
Game One: North Park 11, Kalamazoo 10
The Hornets built what seemed to be an insurmountable lead by going ahead of NPU 9-1 through the first three innings. Kalamazoo drove nine hits in those first three innings, including a three-run home run by shortstop Emma Newlove. However, the Vikings' offense found success from the fourth inning on.
Sophomore first baseman Dora Cihocki singled down the left field line and was replaced on the bases by freshman Arianna Gutierrez. Freshman pitcher Raquel Hare drew a full-count walk before freshman left fielder Kaylie Periera singled through the right side to load the bases. Sophomore catcher Bella Frohwirth delivered the first big swing with a double down the left field line, plating both Periera and Hare.
Hare twirled a scoreless fifth inning before NPU added three runs on three hits in their next trip to the plate. Junior shortstop Kayla Lorenz cracked her first home run of the year before doubles by Kathryn Keehn and Sydney Snyder closed the gap to 10-5. An RBI groundout for Hare scored Snyder as the Vikings continued to chip away.
Another scoreless inning in the circle for Hare gave NPU more momentum in the sixth. Pereira, Maddy Tan, and Lorenz all singled to load the bases as Keehn continued to deliver - lining a shot up the middle for two more runs, 10-8 Kalamazoo.
Katie Patton cracked a pinch hit knock to lead off the seventh and was taken off the bases for pinch runner Emily Giardine. Another pinch hit single by Lily Ann Lutz and an outfield error put both runners in scoring position. Frohwirth paced a single up the middle, scoring both runners, before another infield single by Tan put runners at first and second. Lorenz reached on a 6-4 fielder's choice, advancing the winning run to third base with two outs. Keehn would be the hero once more, skipping the walkoff winner through the right side to complete the comeback win.
Game Two: Kalamazoo 9, North Park 6
The second game of the doubleheader would highlight North Park jumping out early before Kalamazoo took over in the middle innings. The Vikings built their lead on a two-run single by Snyder and RBI knocks by Cihocki and Lorenz.
However, a big fifth inning, featuring consecutive homers for Potts and Neumann, gave the Hornets their eventual 9-6 game two win.
Keehn was 5-for-9 with a pair of doubles and 5 RBI to pace the NPU offense. Lorenz was 3-for-6 with a walk in each game, homering in game one.
What's Next?
North Park (15-17) heads to Wiers Family Stadium in Kenosha on Wednesday, April 23, for a doubleheader against Carthage College. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM CT.
