BOXSCORE

LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University baseball team was edged by North Park University 4-3 in a non-conference game on Wednesday evening.

Benedictine failed to score after loading the bases in the first inning but responded with three runs in the bottom of the second inning to bounce North Park starter Joel Bonnett. Kevin Ross (Lake Zurich, Ill.) was hit by a pitch and Jimmy Janchenko (Bedford Park, Ill.) drew a walk to start the frame. Following a double play Nick Karakosta (Addison, Ill.) walked. Mitch McMeen (Streator, Ill.) drove home the first two runs with a double to center. Josh Zenawick (Orland Park, Ill.) capped the rally with a run scoring single to plate McMeen and chase Bonnett from the game.

North Park scored a single run in the fifth to pull within 3-1. The Vikings strung together three straight singles with two outs. The run was the only run that Louis Soto (Chicago, Ill.) would allow. Making his second start of the season for the Eagles, Soto tossed six innings. He allowed one run on nine hits while walking two and striking out six. 

The Vikings closed within a run at 3-2 by scoring an unearned run off reliever Nick DePaul III (Niles, Ill.)in the top of the seventh. Mike Domenick singled to leadoff the inning, was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and crossed the plate on an error during a rundown.

The visitors were able to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning. Ryan Javech singled and was replaced by Nick Marino on a fielder's choice. Marino stole second, moved to third on an error, and was along for the ride on a two-run homer off the scoreboard in right by Mike Domenick.

Benedictine placed the tying run on third in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch hitter Luis Diaz (Chicago, Ill.) walked and was lifted for pinch runner Dan Zust (Cleveland, Ohio), who was sacrificed to second and moved to third on a wild pitch. North Park (8-4) reliever Tito Garza, who entered in the second, was able to escape the inning.

Dan Jedlowski (Chicago, Ill.) tossed the final 1.1 innings for Benedictine, who was limited to just five hits in the contest.

The Eagles play host to Robert Morris University-Chicago in a second nine-inning contest Wednesday night.

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