ELMHURST, Ill. – Alex Kielion allowed only two hits through seven innings and pitched into the ninth inning while helping carry the Elmhurst University baseball team to a 3-2 road victory at North Park University.
 
Elmhurst improved to 16-17 overall and 11-14 in the CCIW with the victory while North Park dropped to 16-18 overall and 11-17 in league play.
 
The Bluejays jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. Kevin Johlie walked to lead off the game and Tyler Kledzik followed with a two-run homer to right field to stake the Bluejays to a two-run cushion.
 
The two runs was all Kielion needed as he cruised through the first seven innings, allowing only two hits. The Vikings did not put a runner in scoring position until the eighth inning when they put runners on the corners with two outs, but Kielion induced a ground out to end the inning.
 
Elmhurst tacked on a critical insurance run in the top of the ninth. Trey Romay doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on Carter Truong's RBI groundout to give Elmhurst a 3-0 lead.
 
Kielion retired the first batter in the ninth before running into trouble. Ranko Stevanovic doubled and Justin Woolbright homered to make the score 3-2. A single by Brandon Davis put the trying run on base for the Vikings and forced the Bluejays to go to the bullpen. J.D. Knight slammed the door on North Park, fanning both batters he faced to record the save and preserve the 3-2 victory for Elmhurst.
 
Romay collected two of Elmhurst's four hits in the victory while Kledzik knocked in two runs.
 
Kielion picked up his second victory of the season from the mound. He worked 8.1 innings, allowing just seven hits and two runs. He walked one while striking out six. Brendan Russ took the loss for the Vikings, surrendering four hits and three runs in eight innings of work. He walked two and fanned eight.
 
Elmhurst plays at Wheaton College on Friday, May 7.