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Contact: Tyler Friel, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Box Score

Port Charlotte, Fla. (Mar. 19, 2016) – Once again showing off their offensive capability, the North Central College baseball team extended their winning streak to five, defeating Salem State University 10-3.

The Vikings were able to score early as they took advantage of a Cardinals miscue in the field in the second inning. Three singles in a row for Salem followed by a sacrifice groundout put the Vikings up 3-0 but that would be the only lead they would hold the entire game.

North Central wasted no time tying things up as they scored three runs of their own in the next half inning. Jeremy Quade doubled to start the inning while Sing Fong reached on a walk before Bobby Smith moved the pair up, setting Chris Hill up for a two-RBI double. Hill was caught stealing soon after but the Cardinals would not be done. Michael Mateja started things up again with a single before Nick Sotiros was able to drive him home with a RBI triple.

The Cardinals struck again in the fifth as Smith led off with a triple and Hill drove him in a batter later. Sotiros would pick up his second RBI of the day with a one out double and would come around to score a batter later. North Central (5-0) put up two more runs in the sixth and again in the seventh to secure the victory. Smith, Mateja, and Quade would pick up the RBI's over the two innings.

The Cardinals dominated offensively all day, outhitting their opponents 14-6 and scoring in four innings. The pitching staff kept the Salem batters uneasy all game, shutting them out in eight innings, including the final seven frames. Andrew Houser took the win giving up only one earned run and four hits while striking out four over seven innings. Nick Rogalski and Jordan Van Dyck closed out the final two innings as the Cardinals continue their success on their spring trip.

Sotiros ended the day a perfect 5-5 at the plate, scoring twice and driving in two RBI's. Hill finished 2-4 with three RBI's while Quade two going 2-3.

North Central will truly be tested tomorrow as they face Manchester University and 20^th ranked College of Wooster. Game times are slated for 10 am and 1 pm.