COON RAPIDS, Minn.-- North Central got their first victory in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday in a split with Martin Luther College. The Rams took game one of the double-header 6-5 in extra innings before the Knights bounced back to take game two 17-0.

North Central (3-12, 1-10 UMAC) fell behind 2-0 through four innings in game one before they rallied back to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Caleb Wyre (Scottsbluff, Neb./Gering) posted a one-out walk and sophomore then Matthew Juve (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) doubled to put runners on second and third. Freshman Jordan Fair (Boyne City, Mich./Boyne City) then singled up the middle and drove in both runners to tie it up at 2-2 through five.

Martin Luther responded by adding another run in the top of both the sxith and seventh inning to make it 4-2 through seven full innings. Once again the Rams fought back to tie it up in the bottom of the eighth. A pair of two out singles from junior David Babcock (Fresno, Calif./Buchanan) and sophomore Taylor Madrinich (West Bend, Wis./West Bend) loaded the bases. Sophomore Andrew Eliason (Ypsilanti, Mich./Milan) then singled to left center to drive in a pair and tie it up at 4-4 through eight innings.

Both teams were scoreless in the ninth and the game went to extra innings. MLC took a 5-4 lead in the top of the extra frame and the Rams were down to their final three outs. The Rams then started a one-out rally that would end up being the eventual game winning effort. Junior Cody Van Sickle (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) and David Babcock each singled with one out and Taylor Madrinich moved the runners up with a ground out. Andrew Eliason stepped up with two outs and the winning run on second and delievered a single that allowed both runners to score and give the Rams their first conference win of the year.

David Babcock was one of the key players for the Rams earning his second win of the year on the mound, going all 10 innings allowing just one earned run on five hits. He also was 4-5 at the plate. Andrew Eliason ended up 2-5 with four RBI. Freshman Jordan Fair was 2-5 with 2 RBI.

Unfortunately the Rams could not continue their momentum into the rubber match of the three-game series with Martin Luther. North Central managed just three hits and seven base runners in the loss. The assisted by five North Central errors, the Knights posted 17 runs, just 7 earned on 17 hits.

The Rams are now off until next weekend when they play a three game road series in UMAC play at Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.). Friday's single game is set for a 3 p.m. start and Saturday's double-header is scheduled for a Noon first pitch.