Chicago, Ill. - Wheaton baseball concluded its two-game set against North Park on Tuesday, falling 9-4. With the loss, Wheaton drops to 12-13 overall and 5-4 in conference play, while North Park improves to 16-8 overall and 6-2 in conference.

North Park came out swinging in the first inning, plating three runs on a sacrifice fly and a two-run home run. Starter Jamin Van Grouw settled down after the early damage, ending the inning with a strikeout.

Wheaton responded with a strong second inning, putting up four runs after loading the bases. A wild pitch and a passed ball each scored a run, a groundout by Jack Gill brought in another, and an RBI single from Charlie Scofield capped the rally.

Van Grouw locked it in for the remainder of his outing, going 5-2/3 innings in total. The two runners he left on base scored in the sixth, but he battled through to give the Thunder a
quality start.

Wheaton was held hitless after their second-inning outburst, and North Park capitalized, plating four runs in the sixth inning to take an 8-4 lead and pull away for good.
Jonah Moulton entered in the seventh, allowing one hit while striking out three. Austin Eilmes then relieved him and worked an efficient eighth inning, surrendering just one run on a leadoff double.

On the day, Wheaton managed just four hits, struck out 11 times, and drew six walks. Charlie Scofield led the offense, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Van Grouw's final line today was 5-2/3 innings pitched, 10 hits, six earned runs, with six strikeouts, and one walk.

Wheaton will return home to host Elmhurst on Friday at 6:00 PM to open a three-game series.