Alex Silverthorne worked 8 1/3 innings and was backed by some timely hitting and sharp defense as the Vikings defeated Elmhurst, 6-4, to open CCIW play for both teams this season Saturday evening.

The game venue was moved to the Holmgren Athletic Complex because of field conditions in Elmhurst, so North Park remained the visiting team.  The Vikings scored a pair of runs in the top of the first when Zak Worsley singled, stole second, and scored on a base hit by Eric Sousanes, who took second on the throw.  He moved to third on a flyball out off the bat of Tommy Endres and came in on a groundout by Joe Belmonte.  The Bluejays cut the lead in half when Dave Wolak tripled in A.J. Compton, but a key defensive play ended the threat.  Elmhurst cleanup hitter Zack Tsiodras bounced a grounder back to the mound; Silverthorne knocked the ball down, recovered it and threw to first to retire Tsiodras.  Meanwhile, Wolak broke for the plate but was out on a perfect throw from Belmonte to catcher Dan Sabin to complete the double play.

The second inning was also dramatic as the Vikings left the bases loaded without scoring, while the Bluejays tied the game on a bases-loaded single.  Elmhurst could have tallied even more, but another Belmonte-to-Sabin play ended in a forceout at home.

Elmhurst briefly took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a pinch-hit home run by Ben Havel.  However, in the top of the fifth, the Vikings scored three runs against Bluejays starter Jordan Hanlon.  Mario Creecy and Worsley opened the inning with back-to-back singles and then both runners executed a double steal.  Endres hit a run-scoring groundout, and Belmonte followed with an RBI single.  After Sabin and Brett Bernal each singled to load the bases, a wild pitch allowed Belmonte to score and give the Vikings a 5-3 lead.

Silverthorne overcame a brief bout of wildness, walking two in the fifth, and went on to hold the Bluejays hitless over three of the next four frames.  The Vikings added an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Endres singled, stole second, and came in on a double by Belmonte.  Silverthorne worked into the ninth, but an error and a walk ended his day.  Kenny Blanchard induced a run-scoring groundout and then fanned Wolak to end the game.

Silverthorne moves to 3-1 on the season after his six-hit performance.  Blanchard picked up his second save.  Belmonte was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, while Worsley and Bernal each had a pair of hits.