CHICAGO, Ill. – Carroll University (11-24, 6-14 CCIW) used a four run eighth inning to turn a 5-3 deficit into a 7-5 lead but couldn't hold on in the rain soaked conditions as the fell to North Park 10-7.

North Park would open the scoring in the bottom of the first tallying a single run to give the Vikings the early 1-0 lead.

Junior AJ Johnson would lead off the top of the second inning sending a deep fly ball over the left field fence to tie the game at one.

The game would remain tied until the bottom of the fifth inning.  The Vikings would push across three runs on four hits and a Pio fielding error to retake the lead 4-1.

Carroll would again answer and again it would be on the bat of Johnson.   Sam Harmeyer would reach on a fielder's choice with one out and following a strike out, Johnson would send the ball deep into the left-center field mist to cut the North Park lead to 4-3.

A solo shot to lead off the bottom of the sixth would increase the Viking lead to 5-3 and the score would hold there until the top of the eighth inning.

Jacob Horner would walk to start the eighth and Jacob Langford would single to left, with both runners advancing on a bobble by the Viking outfielder.  Following a strike out, Matt Putman would plate Horner on a sacrifice fly to center field making the score 5-4.   Johnson would then be walked intentionally with two-outs and pitcher Carter Howard would pinch run.  Pinch hitter Nolan Heck would come off the Pio bench and drive in Langford and advance Howard to third, knotting the game up at five.  Heck would steal second and Zach Meyer would drive a two-strike pitch down the left field line to score Heck and Howard giving the Pios the 7-5 lead.

Both teams were forced to battle rain and muddy conditions on the mound and plate all night.  North Park was able to push across five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on just two hits combined with four walks and a hit batter to regain the lead 10-7.

Michael Jerik would single to start the top of the ninth, but that would be all the Pios could muster as they would fall 10-7 on the road.

AJ Johnson continued to swing the bat with authority, finishing the day 2x3 with two runs score and three RBI on a pair of long homeruns.

Cam Godinsky stated on the hill for Carroll and turned in a solid outing working six innings while collecting the no-decision.

Carroll University will return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Elmhurst College for a 6:30pm showdown.