CHICAGO, Ill. – North Park University Softball split their CCIW opener against the Elmhurst Bluejays (5-12-1, 2-4 CCIW) on Sunday afternoon at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. The Vikings dropped game one, 4-1, before a 3-1 win in game two.
Game One Recap
North Park starting pitcher, junior Maya Lafnear, got the first three Bluejay hitters out, thanks to a 6-4-3 double play in the first, before NPU tacked a run in their first go-around the order. With two outs, junior shortstop Kayla Lorenz singled through the right side before junior third baseman Kathryn Keehn skipped a triple down the left-field line, plating Lorenz.
The Bluejays responded in the second when catcher Bella Swift tripled to right center and right fielder Clara Rice singled to drive her in.
In the third, designated player Danielle Hood hit a sacrifice fly, scoring left fielder Brenna Morley and first baseman Ali Mockenhaupt singled to center, driving in second baseman Bailey Proffitt, to extend the Bluejay lead to 3-1. Elmhurst added one more run when third baseman Kaylee Aimone walked with the bases loaded, bringing home Hood.
Elmhurst's pitcher, Kylie Hoyh, allowed only six hits and one run over seven innings, earning the 4-1 win.
Game Two Recap
North Park set the tone early in the first inning, serving as the away team in game two. Senior second baseman Maddy Tan walked to start the inning, followed by junior outfielder Eden Baker's bunt single, advancing Tan to second. Lorenz then burned the Elmhurst outfielders on a triple to right center, driving in both Tan and Baker. Junior outfielder Sydney Snyder reached on a throwing error by Elmhurst's shortstop, allowing Lorenz to score, as the Vikings enjoyed a 3-0 to start the game.
Elmhurst responded in the bottom of the first inning, in what would be the final run of the game. Hood reached second on a two-base error before Mockenhaupt singled up the middle, driving in Hood, before Viking starting pitcher Raquel Hare secured a groundout to end the inning.
Hare enjoyed the best outing in her young collegiate career. The freshman from Oakley, California tossed her first complete game, scattering six hits with only one walk and no earned runs. Hare was aided in big play making behind her, including a diving play by Tan and a pivotal outfield assist from Baker in the fourth inning.
Top Hitters for North Park on the Day:
What's Next?
North Park (10-10, 1-1 CCIW) hosts Millikin University (13-9, 1-1 CCIW) in its second of three-straight CCIW home dates on Friday, April 11. First pitch at Holmgren is set for 3:00 PM CT.
