Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
CHICAGO (Apr. 15, 2022) - Traveling to Chicago to take on North Park University, the North Central College baseball team never trailed on their way to a 16-5 win over the Vikings on Friday afternoon as the Cardinals hit five home runs and tallied 20 hits over the seven innings.
Starter Charlie Klemm struck out two Viking batters in the bottom of the first inning before Trey Roach hit his second home run of the season, bringing home Paul Beverly who singled to start the inning as the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead early in the game.
Each team belted a solo home run in their next half innings as Ranko Stevanovic and Dom Listi each hit it over the right-center field fence, putting the score at 3-1. Klemm struck out two more in the bottom half of the third inning.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, Michael Davis singled to left field, allowing Roach to score from second. Michael Patterson followed that up with a two-run home run to left-center, increasing North Central's lead to 6-1. After Justin Rios doubled, Luke Lehned traded places with him on a double of his own. With runners on second and third, Beverly scored Lehnen. Rob Marinec singled through the left side to play Listi as the Cardinals scored six runs on seven hits in the top half of the fourth inning.
Jack Oberli led off the fifth inning with his first home run of the season. Rios and Lehnen each reached base before Listi singled to right center, sending Rios and Lehnen home. Marinec hit another single through the left side to score Listi to push the score to 13-1.
The Vikings scored two runs in the sixth inning, and the Cardinals answered with three more runs as Zach Carpita homered to left field, bringing home Cole Gregorio and AJ Kutcher in the process.
Klemm earned his fifth win of the year as he threw six innings, allowing three runs while striking out eight. With the win, Klemm ties the program record for most wins in a career with 23. Roach and Beverly tallied three hits on the day as Listi scored three runs and drove in three as well. As a team, North Central recorded five home runs on the day.
Game two was postponed due to rain and will now be played Saturday at 12 PM as game one of the now doubleheader at Zimmerman Stadium to finish the series with North Park. You can find live coverage options HERE.
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