FORT PIERCE, FL – In a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon, the North Central University (NCU) baseball team took the diamond against the Franciscan University (FU) Barons. In a hitting frenzy that saw the Rams record 15 hits in game two of the doubleheader, the Rams earned head coach
David Babcock's first win of his collegiate coaching career by splitting with the Barons by final scores of 0-9, and 24-9.
Game 1 Recap
In the top of the first inning, the Barons came out striking first by stringing together a handful of hits. The Rams pitching and defense managed to hold their own in the top of the second inning, but were unable to keep it going from that point on. Throughout the next several innings, FU managed to put consistent runs across while also slowing down the Rams' bats at the plate. It was not until
Steven De Silva (Mililani, HI, Waipahu High School) found real estate in the left-field grass with a base knock in the second inning to get the NCU offense going. The Barons' starting pitcher managed to get out of multiple situations with NCU runners left on, and ultimately limit any runs from getting across. The pitcher went the distance all seven innings and picked up the win 9-0 behind consistent run support from the Baron hitters.
Key Performer(s)
Game 2 Recap
Game two of the doubleheader is where the blue and gold managed to completely flip the script on the Barons. In the top of the first inning alone, the Rams managed to rotate through their batting order over two times, which was the result of eight total hits and eight runs manufactured. Starting the hitting rally off was
Justin Krull (Nichols, WI, Seymour High School)
who doubled in the left-field gap and eventually came around to score on a
Rene Brockman (Tuscon, AZ, Desert View High School) RBI single. After a handful of more Rams getting their first hits on the day, the Rams headed into the bottom of the first with a massive 8-0 lead. The Barons managed to put a couple of runs across in response to the massive inning but were never within striking distance of the Rams. Over the next few innings, NCU continued to pour its lead on FU and gather together insurance runs.
In the top of the fourth inning,
Justin Krull (Nichols, WI, Seymour High School) and
Cole Sneed (Scottsdale, AZ, Saguaro High School) both found ways on to jumpstart in what would be another hit parade for the Rams. Continuing his impressive showing at the plate,
Brockman recorded two more RBIs with a home run down the left-field line that increased North Central's lead to 14-3. After adding more runs during the top of the fourth via several walks, passed balls, and hit by pitches, the Rams found themselves up 21-3 on Franciscan heading into the bottom of the fourth. The blue and gold closed the game out by a final score of 24-9 and picked up their first win of the 2020 season in a firework display of hitting from almost the entire lineup and career days by multiple Rams. This game also tallied
David Babcock's first win as head coach since taking the reins of the baseball program.
Key Performer(s)
Babcock records first win as head coach of NCU baseball
We caught up with Head Coach
David Babcock following the first win of his collegiate coaching career.
"I just thank God that I get to coach these players that I have known and loved for the past few years and the new guys that have made this year so fun so far. Even if we hadn't won a game yet, I'm so grateful to have my dad and my uncle coaching with me. I hope that we have honored Jesus with how we have played this week. God allowing us to win today is just icing on the cake. Also, shout out to
Hayden Schigur for giving his life to Jesus for the first time this week. That will be the number one highlight of the year!"
Looking Ahead
As NCU baseball now moves on to a 1-4 overall record, they will wrap up their spring break trip before heading back to Minneapolis in another quick turnaround tomorrow morning. The Rams are set to take on the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes in a single nine-inning affair, with first pitch is slated for 10:00am CT. Live statistics throughout the contest can be found
here.
