SUPERIOR, WIS. -- The North Central University (NCU) baseball team hit the road on Saturday afternoon for their first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference series of the 2021 campaign against the the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS) Yellowjackets. The Rams fell in game one 1-10, but responded extremely well in game two by stringing together nine total hits. Despite the offensive showing, NCU was edged out 10 to 11 in game two.

Game Recap

The Rams came into game one looking for their first UMAC win of the young season. Sparking an early offensive surge for NCU was Justin Torres (Palatine, IL, Palatine High School), who cleared a shot over the left field wall for the Rams' first home run of the season and to give them a one run advantage early on. After holding the Yellowjackets scoreless in the bottom half of the first inning, the Rams were unable to capitalize on the momentum gained.  UWS' starting pitcher managed to go the distance and held the Rams to scattering four total hits over the next eight innings. Once getting their first run on the board in the bottom of the second inning, Superior manufactured consistent runs for the duration of game one that allowed them to take it 10 to one.

Game Two Recap

Despite falling in game one, the Rams responded well and came out in the latter half of the second affair with an offensive explosion at the plate. Early on the Yellowjackets put six runs across the plate while managing to hold the Rams' bats hitless through the first four innings. In the top of the fifth inning, the Rams catapulted themselves back into the game with a three-hit, five-run inning. Chris Harding (Carol Stream, IL, West Chicago High School) got the inning started by finding his way on and making his way around the bases to put NCU on the board. With Joseph Cobb (St. Paul, MN, St. Paul Central High School) and Torres both on, Rene Brockman (Tucson, AZ, Desert View High School) homered to left to cut Superior's lead to just one. In the preceding inning, the Yellowjackets were held scoreless. Torres capitalized on it by hitting a two-run home run giving the Rams a seven to six lead. Over the next few innings, Superior captured the lead back by going up four heading into the bottom of the ninth. Even with the deficit, the Rams clawed their way back by getting three runs across on a Torres double out to left. With the tying run on, North Central could not tie one last hit together, resulting in narrowly falling 10 to 11 in game two.

Key Performers

• Justin Torres had a breakout afternoon for North Central at the plate. The senior went a combined 5-for-9 through the two contests, including a pair of home runs and 6 total RBIs.
• Sophomore Rene Brockman went .500 on day with a 3-for-6 showing. The shortstop also tallied 3 RBIs, including a home run of his own.

Looking Ahead

NCU baseball now falls to an overall record of 1-5 (0-2 UMAC) on the 2021 season. As the Rams look ahead to their next opponent, they will travel back to Ashland, Wisconsin on Wednesday to take on the Northland College Lumberjacks, but this time in an official UMAC affair. First pitch for the conference doubleheader will be 1:30 p.m. To view Northland's COVID-19 policy on fan attendance for the upcoming game, please click here. Fans are encouraged to stay posted to official Rams social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for game information on the upcoming game, such as live video and statistics.