Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Apr. 14, 2022) - Playing as the visitors on their home field due to a day-of field change, the North Central College baseball team fell to the hands of Elmhurst University, 9-4, on a windy day at Zimmerman Stadium.
After a scoreless first inning, the Bluejays scored two runs in the second inning. The Cardinals answered in the third with a run of their own as Paul Beverly singled to drive in John Petty from second base. Elmhurst added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Jaedin Kotecki worked out of a bases-loaded jam.
Brent Swenson doubled to open the fourth inning and came around to score when Michael Patterson hit into a fielder's choice. Again, the Bluejays tacked on a run to give themselves a 5-2 lead.
With two outs in the fifth inning, Beverly doubled down the line and scored on an error by the Bluejays center fielder, putting the contest at 5-3. Scoring for the fourth straight inning, Elmhurst took advantage of a Cardinals error to increase their lead to 6-3.
After holding Elmhurst scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Luke Lehnen reached on an error and stole second base. Dom Listi singled to move Lehen to third. Beverly hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Lehnen to score and close the gap, 6-4. In the bottom of the seventh, Jonathan Mays doubled and later scored for Elmhurst to increase their lead, 7-4.
The Bluejays tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving the Cardinals just one chance to come back in the top half of the ninth inning. Both Listi and Beverly reached base in the ninth inning but North Central could not push them across to score as Elmhurst earned the 9-4 win.
Nicholas Rietz suffered his first loss of the season for North Central while Jaysn Miller improved to 3-2 on the year. Alex Kielion picked up his first save of the season. AJ Kutcher threw three innings, striking out five and allowing three runs in relief. Beverly went 3-for-5 on the day with two RBI's while Listi went 2-for-3 with two walks.
The Cardinals travel to Chicago on Friday afternoon for a doubleheader against North Park University. Game one at Holmgren Athletic Complex is set for 1 PM. You can find links to live coverage HERE.
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