Northpointe 8, Covenant Christian 7

Story by Phil Niekerk

There’s a three team log jam at the top the River Valley Conference with Northpointe, Covenant and Tri-Unity fighting to stay at the top.

Northpointe took a big step in staying in the conference race with thrilling 8-7 win over Covenant. On April 20, Covenant won a thriller at home in 9 innings over the Mustangs, coming from behind in 7th to tie and winning on a walk-off infield hit in the ninth.

Tonight, Northpointe would get the season split with the defending conference champs.

The Mustangs pounded 15 hits against pitcher Matt Noorman who went the distance but took the loss. Every Northpointe starter posted a hit in the game.

Andrew Bloem led the hitting barrage going 3 for 4 (3 RBIs) with a single, double and HR (2nd of the season). If it were not for a running catch at the fence in 2nd inning, Bloem may have hit for the cycle for the second time this season.

Tommy Tresh got the win in relief of Spencer Goebel. Tresh pitched the final 3 1/3 allowing his team to comeback and take the lead for good in 5th.

Bloem’s HR in the 5th proved to be the game winner. Covenant made a last run in seventh scoring two to bring Covenant to within one run of tying. But, Tresh struck out the final two hitters with the tying run on third.

Northpointe has now split the season series with both Tri-Unity and Covenant Christian. Covenant will play Tri-Unity next week.

All three teams in the conference race have a vested interest in this match-up.