PLYMOUTH, Minn. – North Central University softball's (0-10, 0-0 UMAC) woes continued after dropping three games in the final day of the NCU Dome Tournament. The Rams faced Maranatha Baptist University (2-4), Martin Luther College (5-4, 0-0 UMAC), and Finlandia University (12-9) at the Plymouth Creek Dome just 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Amanda Roth (Appleton, Wis./Neenah) continued to shine for the Rams scoring four runs on the day, and at least one per game, and finished with a batting average of .454 from the plate. Roth also lead the Rams pitching efforts with 17 out of the 18 innings for the day on the Rams. Abbey Erzberger (Milwaukee, Wis./Heritage Christian) returned to the lineup for the Rams after missing day one of the tournament.

How It Happened

Game One vs. Maranatha Baptist (L, 9-3): Roth opened the day with two strikeouts against the Sabercats before Maranatha got on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first inning, Roth opened the day with a hard double hit down the left field line. After an Erzberger walk and a Nora Sullivan (Naperville, Ill./Matea Valley) single, Roth and Erzberger returned home to lead 2-1 after the first inning. Maranatha recorded one run in the second and two in the third before North Central scored again. Bottom of the third saw Erzberger record her second run of the day after a ground-rule double and a single from teammate, Maddie Parrow (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) to send her home. The Sabercats led 4-3 after three innings. In the fourth, the Sabercats scored twice while holding the Rams without a hit to lead 6-3 after four. Maranatha then scored three runs in the final three innings while holding the Rams scoreless ending the game 9-3 after seven innings. The Sabercats outhit the Rams 17-7 but the Rams had the advantage in strikeouts, 6-1.

Game Two vs. Martin Luther (L, 7-5): The second game of the day saw the Rams almost come away with the first win of the season. Both teams scored a run in the first and held scoreless in the second inning. In the top of the third, the aggressive base running and sacrifice fly from Kelli Doell scored Aimee Ashman for the 2-1 lead. Leading off the inning, Bri Griffin (Reedsburg, Wis./Reedsburg) tallied her first hit of the season and her collegiate softball career. With the help from an Alex Rodriguez (Minneapolis, Minn./Homeschool) screaming single down the left side and an Amanda Roth double, Griffin scored the tying run and first ever of her career. Rodriguez also scored off the Roth double. Erzberger added a sacrifice fly at her at bat to score Roth and give the Rams a 4-2 lead after three innings of play. The Knights stole one back in the top of the fourth to bring the score to 4-3, North Central after four. In the next two innings, the Knights outscored the Rams 4-1 to regain the lead before both teams ended the seventh inning scoreless. Amanda Roth recorded one strikeout in the game and both teams finished with two errors.

Game Three vs. Finlandia University (L, 18-2): After a grueling doubleheader the Rams suited up for their first look at Finlandia University this season. The Lions jumped to an early lead after scoring 13 runs in the first three innings. In the fourth the Rams got one back from Erzberger for her third run of the day before the Lions scored five additional runs on an exhausted Rams defense. Top of the fifth, Amanda Roth led off with a deep line drive down the right field line. After an Erzberger single and a wild throw, Roth was setup to return home but had to wait for a Nora Sullivan single to bring her in. Maddie Parrow then grounded out for the final out of the inning and game.

Up Next: North Central will have a week long break from game action before hosting Finlandia Fri. March 24 at East Phillips Park for a 3 and 5 p.m. doubleheader. The Lions will stick around for a doubleheader on Sat. March 25 at 10 a.m. and noon at East Phillips Park. All games are weather permitting. Check NCURams.com, Facebook: NCU Rams Athletics, Twitter: @NCURams, and Instagram: @NCURams for updates regarding weather cancellations and rescheduled dates/times.