Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ASHLAND, Wis. – North Central University (NCU) hit the road for a pivotal Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) doubleheader with the Lumberjacks of Northland College. The two clubs entered the afternoon both still having an opportunity for a UMAC playoff birth with much still left to be decided. The two competed in what proved to be an instant classic in game one that saw Northland plating the eventual winning run in the 8th inning as they took game one by a score of 3-2. The Lumberjacks jumped out to an early lead in game number two that propelled them to the eventual 10-6 victory and the series sweep. 

GAME ONE RECAP
Michael Barrientos headed to the mound for the Rams in game number one, coming off a win in his most recent start against Minnesota Morris. The Freshman settled in from the first pitch, making it very difficult on the Lumberjack hitters in the early going. Both teams found themselves in a pitching dual, with neither finding much success at the plate in the first few innings. The Lumberjacks were the first to make some noise in the scoring department as a sacrifice fly plated the first run of the game, giving Northland the 1-0 lead in the 5th inning. After allowing Northland to take the lead, Barrientos helped his own cause from the plate as a single in the 6th inning scored a run and knotted the game up at 1-1. With the game tied once again, the Lumberjacks quickly stole back the momentum as they go to pitcher, Barrientos, as the forced a balk that scored a run, putting the lead once again in the Jacks favor. Northland added an insurance run in the 7th inning as they made it three straight innings with a run to push their lead to 3-1. Late in the ball game, with their backs against the wall and needing some run support, the Rams used some sneaky base running to steal a run back from the Jacks and cut the lead to one. Unfortunately for NCU, that was the closest they came to Northland as the Jacks closed the door in the 9th to top the Rams by a score of 3-2. 

GAME TWO RECAP
The scoreboard was cleared for the start of game two, but Northland continued it's offensive momentum that they compiled from game one . The Rams were the first ones to strike, but Northland immediately called the Rams one run with five of their own in the 3rd inning. The Lumberjacks then produced two straight two run innings as they pushed their lead to 9-1. As they saw the game slipping away, NCU produced a string of runs of their own as they connected on just two hits in the 6th and 7th innings, but found a way to score five runs and slash the Jack lead to just three. With the Rams inching closer, the Northland bats did not go completely silent. The Jacks scored just one run in the bottom of the 7th, but it was all they needed as they held the Rams scoreless in the final two innings as they closed the door for the 1-6 victory and the series sweep. 

Next Up
North Central will enjoy a day off tomorrow as they prepare for yet another important UMAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 27th. The Rams will travel back to Wisconsin as they will square off with the University of Wisconsin Superior with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m.

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