FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

EAST MOLINE, Ill. (Apr. 1, 2014) – The North Central College baseball team saw its four-game win streak come to an end Tuesday afternoon, splitting a College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) doubleheader at Augustana College, falling in game one, 6-3 before responding with an 8-7 win in the nightcap.
 
The Cardinals (12-5, 4-1 CCIW) jumped out to an early two-run lead in the opener, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first as John Ciolkosz and Sam Carius each delivered sacrifice flies to right field.
 
After collecting just two hits over the first four innings, the Augustana offense finally got to Cardinal starter Bryan Polowy, scoring a run in each of the final four innings and chasing Polowy to the tune of six runs, four earned, over seven innings.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Vikings (11-6, 3-2) cut the Cardinal lead in half as Jacob Van Duyne plated a run with a fielder's choice.
 
The Vikings scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth, while Van Duyne plated another run in the bottom half of the seventh on an RBI triple to center field and Brandon Jasper put the hosts up 5-2 with an RBI single to left later in the inning.
 
Ciolkosz led all Cardinal hitters going 3 for 3 from the plate in game one with an RBI.  Vito DeRango and Joe Paparone each added a pair of hits and a run scored.
 
With the score tied 7-7 in the top of the ninth in game two, Nick DeWolf stepped to the plate and delivered a crucial two-out single to right center field, scoring Carius who led off the inning with a double.
 
Holding an 8-7 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Chris Michaels found himself in a bit of trouble as Augustana placed runners on first and second with just one out, but Michaels bore down to strike out Bret Bialek swinging, followed by a game ending flyout to center field.  Michaels earned the win on the mound, tossing the final 1 1/3 innings while striking one.
 
Augustana led a majority of game two, until the Cardinals were able to plate a pair of run in the top of the eighth to take a 7-6 lead, but the lead did not last long as the Vikings knotted the score the next half inning.
 
Paparone paced the Cardinal offense in game two, going 3 for 4 from the dish including three RBI and a run scored.  Carius ended the nightcap with a 2 for 2 showing with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored.
 
North Central hosts Aurora University for its 2014 home opener Thursday, Apr. 3.  First pitch at Zimmerman Stadium is slated for 3 pm.  Links to live audio and statistics are available HERE.