CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University softball team dropped both games of a nonconference doubleheader to Benedictine University on Tuesday afternoon at the Holmgren Athletic Complex, falling 13-2 in five innings in the opener and 10-2 in six innings of game two.

Game 1: Benedictine 13, North Park 2 

Benedictine set the tone early by erupting for a dozen runs in the top of the first inning, stringing together walks, extra-base hits and taking advantage of defensive miscues to put North Park in an early, insurmountable hole. The Eagles sent 15 batters to the plate, highlighted by RBI doubles from Haley Barnes and Lauryn Olson and an inside-the-park, two-run home run by Taylor Oppen.

North Park settled in defensively after the opening inning and held Benedictine scoreless from the second through fourth innings. The Vikings got on the board in the third when senior designated player Kathryn Keehn reached base and later scored on freshman third baseman Chloe Bader's RBI double to left-center, the first extra-base hit of her career.

Benedictine added an insurance run in the top of the fifth to close out the scoring with Alyssa Perkins's RBI double. 

North Park tacked on its second run in their half of the fifth, as Keehn doubled and eventually scored on Eden Baker's RBI triple, but that would conclude the NPU scoring. 

Game 2: Benedictine 10, North Park 2 

The second game was competitive early, with both teams scoreless through the first inning. Benedictine broke through in the second inning with a three-run rally, taking advantage of a pair of hits and walks, including Olson's three-run double down the left field line.

North Park responded in the bottom of the third with its best scoring opportunity of the afternoon. Senior right fielder Sydney Snyder opened the inning with a double, followed by a Chloe Bader single. The Vikings loaded the bases, scored on a walk, and pushed another run across when Eden Baker stole home, trimming the deficit to 3-2.

Benedictine answered quickly, scoring two runs in the third and two more in the fourth behind aggressive baserunning and an RBI double from Haley Barnes. North Park threatened again with runners on base in their half of the inning but were unable to capitalize. 

The Eagles put the game away in the sixth inning with a three-run frame, highlighted by Alyssa Perkins's two-run home run to left field. North Park managed four hits in the contest but stranded five runners.

Baker Moves Up All-Time Ranks

Baker moved up to 10th in the NPU Softball all-time record book with 81 Runs scored and 131 Hits.

Top Performers

North Park

• Eden Baker: Combined 3-for-6 on the day with a triple, two stolen bases and a run scored
• Kathryn Keehn: Reached base multiple times; double and two runs scored in Game 1
• Chloe Bader: First career extra-base hit in game one

Benedictine

• Alyssa Perkins: Home run in Game 2
• Lauryn Olson: Delivered timely extra-base hits, including a three-RBI double in Game 2
• Haley Barnes: Drove in runs in both games and scored multiple times
• Taylor Oppenhuis: Inside-the-park home run in Game 1 

What's Next?

North Park (10-10, 2-0 CCIW) moves back into league play on Wednesday, April 8, for a doubleheader at home against Carthage College (11-9, 0-0 CCIW). First pitch for game one in Chicago is set for 3:00 PM CT.