NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- North Park Baseball dropped a 21-8 decision to North Central College Tuesday afternoon at Zimmerman Stadium. 

North Park struck first in the top of the opening inning. Joe Perona walked and later scored on a double-play groundball by Taylor Joseph to give the Vikings an early 1-0 lead. North Central answered immediately in the bottom half, scoring four runs with the help of walks, a sacrifice fly and a North Park fielding error to take a 4-1 advantage after one inning.

The Vikings responded in the second with their most productive frame of the afternoon. Enzo Vertucci, Vinnie Marvucic and Reyn Ikenaga each reached base to set the table, and Rylan Li delivered an RBI single. Eli Johnson followed with a two-run single, and Perona drove in another run on a fielder's choice, as North Park plated four runs to move ahead 5-4.

North Central countered again in the bottom of the second, reclaiming momentum with a three-run home run by Parker Wyatt that pushed the Cardinals back in front, 7-5. After scoreless third innings for both teams, North Central pulled away later in the game en route to the short-game win.

North Park totaled 10 hits in the loss and was led offensively by Johnson, who went 2-for-2 with four RBIs, and Matsuzaki, who recorded two hits. Junior reliever Drew Anderson was a bright spot for the NPU arms, working 1.2 scoreless innings of one-hit, two-K late relief in his collegiate debut.

What's Next?

North Park (17-11, 6-3) remains alone at the top of the league standings and prepares for a three-game series with Augustana College beginning Saturday, April 18, in Rock Island, Illinois. First pitch at Swanson Stadium is set for 1:00 PM CT.