PLYMOUTH, Minn. – North Central University (NCU) was in action for the first time in the state of Minnesota during their 2019 campaign. Today was the first of a two day, six game, non-conference series with the Cougars of Minnesota-Morris. The Rams were plagued by errors and were unable to produce many hits from the plate as they fell to the Cougars in three games this morning/afternoon. The Cougars took the games by scores of 9-0, 18-0, and 10-0 as all finished as five inning contests.
 

GAME ONE RECAP
The two clubs were in a pitching duel as it took a little while for the bats to wake up in the morning. Morris only recorded four hits through the first three innings, but still clung to a 2-0 lead heading into their at-bats in the fourth. The Cougars exploded for four runs in the inning, to extend their lead to 6-0 and open the game up. The Rams failed to manufacture any offense in the fifth inning as the Rams batters fell 1-2-3 in order. Down to their final out in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cougars connected on a double that scored two and walked it off for win and early finish. Ram's starter, Emma Bushey (L, 0-5) suffers the defeat as she finished her 4.2 innings pitched with 7 earned runs on 12 hits, while also striking out two Cougar batters.

GAME TWO RECAP
Ali Cornelius (L, 0-5) received the start in the second ballgame as she suffers the loss giving up 10 earned runs (18 total) in 5.0 innings pitched. The Rams were unable to provide Cornelius with much help in the field or from the plate as they finished with just one hit and also recorded 5 total errors on defense. The Cougars manufactured another big 4th inning, this time scoring 10 runs in the fourth frame to pull away and cruise to a 18-0 victory over NCU.

GAME THREE RECAP
Emma Bushey (L, 0-6) headed to the mound for the final game of the day for the Rams. Morris brought some momentum from their game two push into the final contest as they jumped on the Rams early for five runs in the first inning. The Cougars scored five more in the final four more frames to cap off the victory in five innings, knocking off the Rams by a score of 10-0. Cougar starter, Mollie Dummer, was impressive for the maroon and gold finishing with 10 strikeouts as she no-hit the Rams in 5.0 innings.

Next Up
North Central University will be back in action for day two of the series with the Cougars. The two squads will battle in three more games, with the first starting at 8:15 a.m. back at the Plymouth Creek Center in Plymouth, MN. 

MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Justin Brown at 612-343-3539 or email Jdbrown@northcentral.edu.