MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – North Central University (NCU) was back at home for a frigid April doubleheader with the Lumberjills of Northland College. The Rams stayed within striking distance of the Jills throughout game number one but Northland continued to string runs together as they pulled away from a 10-0 victory in just five innings. Game two saw a back and forth battle that ended with Northland pulling away in the final frame to secure the 11-5 victory and series sweep.

GAME ONE RECAP 
After a quiet first frame the Lumberjills were the first to get on the board with three runs on one hit in the top half of the second. Northland added two more to their lead in the 3rd inning, increasing their lead to 5-0. NCU found a way to slow down the Northland offense for the next two innings, but was unable to find a spark of their own from the plate. Northland exploded for five more runs in the 5th inning to double their lead, putting more pressure on the Rams. With their backs against the wall in the bottom half of the 5th, NCU recorded two singles, but could not get those runners across the plate to extend the contest as they fell in the first contest by a score of 10-0. Ali Cornelius (L, 1-8) suffers the loss for the Rams as she finished her afternoon with just one strikeout and nine earned runs in her 5.0 innings pitched.

GAME TWO RECAP
The Lumberjills quickly made some noise on the scoreboard in game two, bringing home three runners to take a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first. Emma Bushey answered right back for NCU as she connected on a that landed in the outfield and scored two runs, making it just a one score ballgame. Both clubs traded runs in the following inning before Northland pushed the gap back to three in the 5th inning. NCU did not go away quietly, however, as Megan Paulson and Ali Cornelius each recorded RBIs to close the gap to one once again as we headed to the 6th inning. The Lumberjills continued to keep the heat on, manufacturing five more runs in the final two innings, while also holding the Rams scoreless as they pulled away for the 11-5 victory. Emma Bushey (L, 1-9) finishes with 8 strikeouts, but suffers the loss as she surrendered seven earned runs in her 7.0 innings pitched. 

Next Up
The Rams have a quick turnaround with their first taste of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action coming tomorrow afternoon as they travel to New Ulm, Minnesota to face-off with the Knights of Martin Luther College. The doubleheader is set for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch in game 1.

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