AROUND THE HORN A bi-weekly roundup of North Park Athletics from Tyler Woolbright, Sports Information Director Sport-by-Sport Recaps SOFTBALL North Park softball went 2-4 on the week, with the bulk of their games taking place in nonconference fashion. After doubleheader losses to the University of Chicago and Carroll University, the Vikings bounced back in Sunday’s doubleheader against Albion College. In game 1, Viking starter Bekah Ryan tossed a gem. The freshman struck out 9 Briton batters in her 7 inning complete game, allowing no earned runs in the process. The offense was powered by the lone softball senior, Ashley Campos. Campos knocked in two runners on a 3rd inning single to rightfield, giving the Vikings the only two runs they would need in a 2-1 victory. In game 2, the Viking offense came to play. Sophomore center fielder Ellie Manderfeld had a career day at the plate. Manderfeld finished the second game of the doubleheader with three triples, five runs batted in, and a pair of runs scored. Bekah Ryan warms up before her game 1 start against Albion College Right fielder Vikky Young and shortstop Hayley Jackson concluded the day in perfect fashion; both going 3-3. Jackson marked 3 RBI’s while Young had 3 runs scored in the 11-3 victory. BASEBALL Recap courtesy of Doug Michalak (C’19) and Anthony DiNardo (C’19) April 4th It was a quiet week for North Park baseball with a lone Wednesday game. The frigid temperature and snow flurries were not enough to cool down the red-hot Vikings as they beat the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan 6-5 to cruise to a record of 5-1 in the CCIW. The howling wind off the lakefront, to the pitcher’s dismay, propelled the Vikings to three homeruns in the back-and- forth affair. Britton Fitzgerald, Mitchell Jordan and Seth Dvorak each contributed a solo-homer. Despite the home runs, the Titans crawled back, scratching across a run in the top half of the 9th inning. This set the stage for Michigan-native, senior Dean Emanuele. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Emanuele, with ice in his veins, laced a pinch-hit walk off single into right field to give the Vikings a 6-5 victory. As the weather begins to heat up, following the off weekend, the Vikings will look to stay hot as they open a five game home stand this week. Senior Dean Emanuele is rushed by his teammates after a walkoff single April 2nd, 7th, and 8th
WOMEN’S ROWING Recap courtesy of Libby Scarlatos, Head Women’s Rowing Coach April 7th The North Park women’s rowing team opened their spring schedule up in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday, facing fellow MidAtlantic Conference member Stockton University. In Race 1, the First Varsity 4+, consisting of Hailey Klippert, Rebecca Conner, Sofie Boyer, Emily Suarez, and C bolted to an early lead and kept their momentum throughout the piece. The ladies finished with a time of 9:15.59, besting Stockton’s 10:01.20. In Race 2, the Second Varsity 4+, consisting of Belinda Banh, Kierstin Toth, Sabina Abbasova, Cynthlouise Limpangog, and Miriam Albrecht, were challenged with a closer race. At the 1000m mark, Stockton moved past North Park and did not look back. Stockton would take the second race at 10:26.0, besting North Park’s 10:33.08. WOMEN’S TENNIS Women’s rowing kicked off their season in Atlantic City, New Jersey Recap courtesy of Karl Clifton-Soderstrom, Head Women’s Tennis Coach April 7th In their second set of spring season competitions, the North Park women’s tennis team faced Marian University and Lake Forest College on Saturday. The Vikings started strong against Marian, winning two of their three doubles matches. At #1 doubles, seniors Vilde Olvin and Juvie Vinluan handily defeated their opponents 8-2. Vinluan’s net play and Olvin’s strong baseline game guided their way to victory. At#2 doubles, freshman Linn Viuhkonen and Linnea Love also tirumphed over Marian 8-6. The Vikings followed up their strong doubles play by winning all 6 of their singles matches. #1 Olvin, #4 Love, and #5 Katie Chleboun had the most dominant victories of the day: Olvin (6-1. 6-0), Love (6-2, 6-1), and Chleboun (6-1, 6-1). Grace Pavlak started at #6 singles for the first time this spring season and made the most of it, besting her opponent 6-3, 6-1. The most notable matches of the day were at #2 singles (Vinluan) and #3 singles (Viuhkonen). Women’s tennis pauses for a picture in Elkhorn, Wisconsin Both started off as baseline battles with no clear player taking an advantage. However, after a close opening set, Viuhkonen finsihed off with a 6-2 final set. Vinluan lost in her first set, but rallied in the second to earn the final set in tiebreaker fashion. The second match of the day proved more difficult for the Vikings, as they fell to Lake Forest 7-2. Head women’s tennis coach, Karl Clifton-Soderstrom, sums up the weekend saying: "It was great to get the win against Marian, and more importantly to see a number of players improving in key parts of their game. Spring season is a good opportunity to work on new stragieiges and develop new strengths. It is satisfying seeing our doubles teams, in particular, working better in matchplay."
Picture of the Week Student Athlete Advisory Committee Recap courtesy of Steve Imig, NPU SAAC Staff Sponsor April 6th Twenty-five athletes from the Chicago Welles Park Special Olympics chapter visited campus for an afternoon of fun, games, and fellowship. The North Park Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the event in the Helwig Recreation Center, drawing 35-plus NPU students, student-athletes, and staff members to teach athletic skills and to participate alongside the Special Olympians in the sports of track & field, basketball, and kick-ball. "Hopefully we were able to teach sport skills and encourage the Special Olympians today but very likely the Special Olympians were the true teachers," expressed NPU SAAC staff sponsor Steve Imig. The love, excitement, and pure joy for life the Special Olympians exhibited were on display throughout the afternoon, leaving a visible impact on the North Park students and staff who volunteered. North Park has a long history and partnership with Special Olympics and would like to make this spring event an annual occurrence. Vikings of the Week NPU BASEBALL NPU SOFTBALL SETH DVORAK Sr./Shortstop BEKAH RYAN Fr./Pitcher Seth totaled 3 hits in a win over Illinois Wesleyan. He finished 3-5 with a homer, run scored and two runs batted in. Bekah tossed 8.2 innings, including a 7 inning CG. She allowed only 5 hits, 0 earned runs, and struck out 9 batters on the week.
Looking Ahead SOFTBALL Sunday, April 15th at Illinois Wesleyan University, 1:00 PM Sunday, April 15th at Illinois Wesleyan University, 3:00 PM BASEBALL North Park baseball has five games this week, all of which are home contests. Tuesday, April 10th vs Illinois Wesleyan University, 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 10th vs Illinois Wesleyan University, 3:00 PM Saturday, April 14th vs Millikin University, 1:00 PM Saturday, April 14th vs Millikin University, 3:00 PM Sunday, April 15th vs Millikin University, Noon MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD North Park men’s and women’s track and field teams will participate in the Benedictine Relays hosted in Lisle, Illinois this upcoming weekend. Knecht Cup - Sunday, April 15th in West Windsor, New Jersey WOMEN’S ROWING WOMEN’S TENNIS North Park women’s tennis will host Webster University at 9:30 AM this upcoming Sunday. MEN’S GOLF North Park men’s golf saw their Judson tournament snowed out but will resume action on Sunday. Forester Spring Invite - Sunday, April 15th at the Bull Valley Golf Club in Woodstock, Illinois CCIW Recognition After tossing a complete game shutout in game 1 against Carroll University, freshman right-hander Michael Pritts was named the CCIW Pitcher of the Week. Pritts, a native of Johnsburg, Illinois, helped lead the Vikings to a 5-0 win on Friday as he struck out five batters, allowed no runs, and issued just one walk. To add to his standout performance, he did not surrender an extra base hit. Pritts currently owns a team-best 2.68 ERA, an overall record of 3-1, and has walked just 6 batters while striking out a team-best 24. North Park women’s rowing has a pair of races this weekend: Kerr Cup - Saturday, April 14th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. home contests in bold North Park softball has six games this week, including a pair of home games Wednesday. Wednesday, April 11th vs Carthage College 3:00 PM Wednesday, April 11th vs Carthage College 5:00 PM Friday, April 13th at Wheaton College, 3:00 PM Friday, April 13th at Wheaton College, 5:00 PM
Contact Us and Follow Along Follow North Park athletics on social media to keep up to date with any and all stories, media, and in-game reports! North Park University Athletics @npuathletics @VikingsNPU Interested in helping out with “Around the Horn”? We are looking for anyone interested in the live coverage of games for all sports. If you are looking to gain experience in writing, reporting, photography, interviewing or editing of any and all North Park University sports, we would love to talk with you more! Contact Tyler Woolbright at tawoolbright@northpark.edu Do you have an event or game coming up? Let us know! Send an email with all necessary details about the event to: Tyler Woolbright at tawoolbright@northpark.edu “Around the Horn” is a bi-weekly newsletter from the Sports Information office at North Park University. North Park University is located at 3225 West Foster Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.
1 Publizr