NAPERVILLE, IL (May 18, 2006) – Two North Park University outfielders and head coach Luke Johnson earned All-Conference honors from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tuesday. Outfielder Pat Zarilla was named to the second team, while outfielder Mike Kuta earned the designated hitter position on the second team as well.<\/p>\n
Johnson earned Coach of the Year honors for his impressive turnaround of the Viking baseball program in his first season.<\/p>\n
Junior Patrick Zarilla played in all 41 of North Park’s games this season, starting 40 of them in center field. He also led off the Viking batting order for the majority of the season. Zarilla leads the team in several statistical categories including batting average (.384), hits (61), runs (31), at bats (159) and slugging percentage (.447). Zarilla also was the fourth leading base stealer in the CCIW, swiping 14 of 19 in conference match-ups. In the outfield, Zarilla has made 133 catches for 118 put outs, recorded 11 assists and has a .970 fielding percentage.<\/p>\n
Sophomore Mike Kuta, also a Viking outfielder, earned recognition for his work as a designated hitter. He recorded a .290 batting average on 107 at bats, 31 hits and 9 runs. He also put up 20 RBI’s, four triples, a .389 on base percentage, a .383 slugging percentage and stole eight bases in as many tries. Kuta also recorded a 1.00 fielding percentage.<\/p>\n
Head coach Luke Johnson’s first season saw a Viking program come from a one-win season the previous year to its first CCIW Tournament appearance in eight years. Johnson improved the team’s winning percentage and led the Vikings to a 14-27 campaign and a fourth seed in the CCIW Tournament. Johnson’s Vikings also led the conference in stolen bases (43), triples (7) and assists (246) in conference games.<\/p>\n