CLERMONT, Fla. -- North Park opened its Tuesday slate in Clermont with an energetic 8–6 win over Alfred University powered by a slew of extra-base hits and another historic morning from senior shortstop Kayla Lorenz at the plate. Her standout game against the Saxon (eight total bases on a pair of doubles and a homer to center field) pushed her past the 200-career-total-base milestone, making her just the fifth player in program history to reach the mark. She now sits at 203, passing Ellie Manderfeld (199) and Sonya Le (196) for fifth all-time. Senior left fielder Eden Baker also etched her name into the record book, tying Manderfeld for third on the career steals list with her 33rd swipe.
North Park over Alfred, 8-6
The Vikings' offense stayed hot deep into the game, with a decisive four-run fifth inning built on back-to-back extra-base knocks from Lorenz and senior catcher Katie Patton before Lorenz launched a three-run homer, part of an electric 3-for-4, 3-RBI performance. North Park added insurance in the seventh behind Baker's RBI triple and another run-scoring double from Lorenz. Pitching and defense closed it out, with Katelyn Meyer recording the final two outs to seal the victory.
North Park top performers vs. Alfred
- Kayla Lorenz: 3–4, 2B (2), HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Eden Baker: 2–4, 3B, RBI, 2 R, SB
- Katie Patton: 2–3, 2B (2), RBI, 2 R, BB
- Salyssa Garcia: 2 RBI (SF, SAC)
North Park falls to Northwestern (MN), 8-2
The afternoon matchup against Northwestern (MN) moved at a quicker pace but swung the other direction, with North Park falling 8-2. Lorenz still made program history in the loss—her double in the second game pushed her to 35 career two-baggers, tying her for third all-time with Kim Walker ('04). She now sits just two shy of Hayley Jackson and five behind career record-holder and current Head Coach Katie Anderson. Her earlier home run against Alfred also lifted her to seven in her career, tying her for 10th in program history.
On the field, the Vikings' scoring came from freshman second baseman Miabella Collazo's solo shot in the second inning, the first of her career, and a fourth-inning rally that featured a Kayla Lorenz double and a run-scoring single from Patton. But Northwestern steadily stacked runs thanks to homers in the fourth and sixth and kept North Park from mounting a late push.
North Park top performers vs. Northwestern (MN)
What's Next?
North Park (5-3) will finally enjoy a day off in Florida before returning to play on Thursday, March 12, facing Hood College and Utica University back at Legends Way Ballfields.
