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

Box Score

Apr. 6, 2014 – Surrendering a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first, the North Central College baseball team never found its groove Sunday afternoon in the home opener, dropping the rubber match of the season series against North Park, 4-2.
 
In the top of the first inning, the Vikings (15-8, 6-2 CCIW) put together a pair of hits while taking advantage of a Cardinal error to jump out to an early 2-0 lead.
 
North Park continued the scoring in the top of the fourth, plating a pair of two-out runs as Eric Sousanes shot an RBI double down the left field line, followed by a RBI single off the bat of Tommy Endres to put the Vikings up 4-0.
 
North Central starter Andrew Houser lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up three runs, one earned, but walked five Viking batters.
 
The Cardinals (13-7, 5-3 CCIW) cut into the North Park lead with a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings, as Sam Carius got the Cardinals on the board with an RBI single up the middle in the bottom half of the fourth.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Vito DeRango plated the Cardinals second run of the afternoon on a RBI double down the left field line to cut the lead in half.
 
North Park starter Alex Vannucci retired 12 of the final 13 batters over the final four innings to complete the game, allowing just the two earned runs while striking out five and walking just one.
 
The Cardinals were only able to muster five hits on the afternoon, as Carius and DeRango each finished 1 for 4 with a RBI.
 
North Central hosts Augustana College, Wednesday, Apr. 9 for the rubber game of the season series.  First pitch at Zimmerman Stadium is slated for 3 pm.