Carol Stream, Ill. (4/19) – The Thunder baseball team earned a hard-fought 4-3 win against North Park in 10 innings at Wheaton's Legion Field on Thursday afternoon. Wheaton scored four runs, on 11 hits, with two errors and North Park scored three runs, with 12 hits and one error.
Wheaton jumped out to 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning as senior Matt Price hit a leadoff double down the leftfield line and he scored off of a RBI-single by freshman Mike Bravo. Wheaton extended its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Munch led off the sixth inning with a single through the right side of the infield and he scored on a RBI-single to rightfield by freshman Mark Price. The Vikings scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the contest at 2-2.
Wheaton jumped out to 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning as senior Matt Price hit a leadoff double down the leftfield line and he scored off of a RBI-single by freshman Mike Bravo. Wheaton extended its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Munch led off the sixth inning with a single through the right side of the infield and he scored on a RBI-single to rightfield by freshman Mark Price. The Vikings scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the contest at 2-2.
The Wheaton defense stopped a North Park effort to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning as the Vikings' Mike Kuta hit the ball into the gap in left centerfield and tried to stretch the hit into a triple. Thunder leftfielder Luke Munch drilled a throw to cutoff man, shortstop Brian Kolb, who connected with third baseman Mark Price to stop the potential go-ahead run as the well-placed tag by Price sent Kuta back to the North Park dugout.
Wheaton regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning as junior Dan Falvey drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and then scored on a RBI-single by Mark Price. North Park scored a run in the top of the ninth inning to tie the contest at 2-2. Munch opened the bottom of the 10th inning with a leadoff walk. Kolb brilliantly placed a bunt for a hit that advanced Munch to second base. Matt Price followed with a bunt and North Park attempted to throw out Munch at third base, however and errant throw zipped into foul territory behind third base and allowed Munch to score the game-winning run.
Freshman starting pitcher Tim Urbanowicz threw well for the Thunder in nine innings of work. The rookie allowed three runs, with two earned runs, on 11 hits, with four walks and two strikeouts. Sophomore Brandon Bradley (3-2) earned the win in one inning of relief. Bradley allowed one hit; struck out one Viking batter and he did not give up a run. Bravo, the Thunder catcher, threw out two runners on stolen base attempts for the second consecutive game.
Senior Nick Turner was 3-for-4, with a walk. Munch was 2-for-3, with two walks and two runs scored, including the game-winner. Mark Price was 2-for-4, with two key RBI. His brother, Matt Price, was also 2-for-4, with a double and a run scored. Falvey drew two walks, with a stolen base and a run scored.
North Park is now 12-16 on the season and 6-6 in the CCIW. Wheaton improves to 7-15-1 with a 2-9 record in conference play. The Thunder will begin a three-game series with Elmhurst at 3 PM at Butterfield Park in Elmhurst. The Bluejays and Wheaton will play a doubleheader with a 1 PM first pitch on Saturday afternoon at Legion Field.