CHICAGO, Ill. — North Park baseball scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a five-run deficit and defeat Concordia Chicago, 10-9, in a game that had perfect weather for eight of nine innings. Four Vikings had multi-hit days, including a 4-for-5 day for sophomore shortstop Taylor Joseph.
Concordia struck first in the second inning. Xavier Zager worked a one-out walk and moved to second on a passed ball before Jack Linko doubled to right-center to bring home the game's first tally.
The Cougars extended the lead in the third. Richie Sperando singled to center, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Cougar second baseman Jake Mahler followed with a two-run home run to center field to make it 3-0.
North Park got on the board in the fifth when senior first baseman Enzo Vertucci led off with a ground-rule double to center and junior left fielder Rylan Li doubled down the left-field line to score Vertucci and cut the deficit to 3-1.
Concordia responded in the sixth. After Dom Owens reached and Linko got aboard on a fielding error, Connor Jerka delivered a two-out single to right field that brought home two runs, pushing the lead to 5-1.
North Park answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore second baseman Kupono Akaka doubled down the right-field line and moved into scoring position before junior catcher Reyn Matsuzaki hit a ground-rule double down the left-field line to drive him in.
Sophomore right fielder Vinnie Marvucic added a sacrifice fly later in the frame, and another run crossed on a failed pickoff attempt, trimming the deficit to 5-4.
Concordia created separation in the seventh with a four-run inning. Cam Buckley reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error, and Brendan Holloway followed with a bunt single of his own to put runners on the corners. Mahler then launched his second home run of the game, a three-run shot to right field, to make it 8-4. The Cougars added another run in the inning on Owens' sacrifice fly after Zagerman moved into scoring position on a throwing error, extending the advantage to 9-4.
Down five entering the eighth, North Park mounted the comeback. Marvucic opened the inning with a single to right field, and freshman third baseman Reyn Ikenaga followed with a single through the right side to put runners at the corners. Li worked a walk to load the bases, and senior designated hitter Eli Johnson lined a single through the left side to score two runs, with Johnson thrown out trying to advance to second on the play. North Park kept the pressure on when senior center fielder Joe Perona was hit by a pitch and later stole second (becoming the all-time stolen base leader at North Park) and Akaka drew a walk to reload the bases for Joseph.
With two outs and rain pouring down, Joseph delivered the decisive swing, blasting a grand slam to right-center to give North Park its first lead of the day, 10-9.
A 30-minute lightning delay occurred before the start of the ninth inning and Concordia threatened in the top half in the return to play. Brandon Mahler singled up the middle and later moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt but senior late-inning arm Zach finished the game without allowing a run, striking out a pair of batters in the ninth to preserve the one-run victory.
Top Performers
North Park
- Taylor Joseph — 4-for-5, HR (grand slam), 4 RBI, 2 runs
- Kupono Akaka — 3-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 runs
- Rylan Li — 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB, run scored
- Reyn Ikenaga — 2-for-4, 1 run
- Zach Price — Save, 1.0 IP, 2 strikeouts
Concordia Chicago
- Jake Mahler — 2-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 runs
- Jack Linko — 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB
- Cam Buckley — 2-for-5, run, stolen base
- Connor Jerka — 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
- Matthew Lica — 5.0 IP, 6 strikeouts
What's Next?
North Park (17-10, 6-2 CCIW) moves back into CCIW play tomorrow, April 14, making the short trip to Naperville, Illinois for a game at North Central College. First pitch at Zimmerman Stadium is set for 3:00 PM CT.
