KALAMAZOO, Mich. — North Park took the opener with timely first-inning offense and late insurance, then the Kalamazoo Hornets answered with a seventh-inning winner in the nightcap to earn a split on Saturday.
Game 1 - North Park 6, Kalamazoo 3
The Vikings struck quickly in the first: Eden Baker singled, Kathryn Keehn reached on a bunt that turned into an error, and Kayla Lorenz punched a two-run single to center. Katie Patton's sac fly pushed it to 3-0 after one.
Kalamazoo trimmed the margin in the fourth on an Ella Neumann double and Emma Newlove's two-run shot to left center, making it 3-2.
North Park responded with two in the fifth: consecutive singles by Chloe Bader and Baker set the table before Lorenz lined an RBI single to left, and Miabella Collazo added a bunt RBI. The Vikings tacked on insurance in the seventh with a run-scoring grounder, and Abrianne Papas closed the final three frames to seal it, securing the first save of her young career.
Game 2 - Kalamazoo 3, North Park 2
In game two, the Hornets opened with a two-run homer from Landrie Fridsma to left after a London Rabb single in the first.
North Park tied things up thanks to Lorenz's sac fly and then in the fifth Baker singled, stole second, and scored on another Lorenz RBI single to make it 2-2.
Kalamazoo produced the winner in the seventh when Grace Rocco's leadoff walk turned into the go-ahead run after a sacrifice bunt and Delaney Lee's RBI single to right. Elizabeth Jones went the distance for the Hornets, scattering six hits while allowing just one earned run.
Top Performers
Game 1
North Park: Eden Baker 3–4, 3 R; Kayla Lorenz 2–4, 3 RBI, SB; R; Raquel Hare (W, 4.0 IP); Abrianne Papas (S, 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R).
Kalamazoo: Emma Newlove 1–4, HR, 2 RBI; Ella Neumann 2–4, 2B; London Rabb 2–4, SB.
Game 2
North Park: Eden Baker 2–3, BB (IBB), SB, R; Kayla Lorenz 2–2, SF, 2 RBI; Sydney Snyder 2–3, 2B; Katelyn Meyer (L, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 K).
Kalamazoo: Elizabeth Jones (W, CG, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 K); Landrie Fridsma 1–3, HR, 2 RBI; London Rabb 2–4, 2B; Delaney Lee 2–3, 2B, GW RBI.
What's Next?
North Park (8-8) finally moves into conference play, hosting the North Central Cardinals (6-8) on Friday, April 3. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 PM CT.
