ST. PAUL, Minn. -- North Central University (NCU) baseball traveled the short distance across the Twin Cities on Saturday afternoon to take on conference foe, University of Northwestern (UNW) in doubleheader action. The Eagles came into the day sitting atop the UMAC standings as the number one seeded team in the conference. Despite their record and success on the season thus far, the Rams showcased resilience by putting up a fight in game two falling narrowly by a final score of eight to 10. 

Game One Recap

Even with the final score of game one reading two to 18 in favor of the Eagles, six of the nine hitters in the Rams' lineup managed to find their way on base from a hit. Through the first three innings of action, UNW jumped out to an early 13 to zero lead. NCU responded to the offensive UNW surge by getting their first run across the plate in the top of the fourth. The Rams preceded to score another one in the inning on a Rene Brockman (Tucson, AZ, Desert View High School) sacrifice fly out to right field that brought in Jack Parker (Bordentown, NJ, Bordentown Regional High School) to cut the deficit down. Over the final few innings of the game, Northwestern managed to get those runs back by tacking on a few more themselves. The offensive success early in the game was enough for the Eagles to come away with game one.

Game Two Recap

Despite the lopsided loss in game one, the blue and gold responded well to the adversity right out of gate in game two. The Rams wasted no time in the top of the first by putting themselves out in front two to zero on a home run that cleared the left center field wall from Justin Torres (Palatine, IL, Palatine High School). On the defensive side, Torres took the mound for North Central and gave up one run in the first two innings while the Rams continued their performance at the plate. Following up Torres with a four-bagger of his own was Chris Harding (Carol Stream, IL, West Chicago High School), who also sent a shot over the left center wall to increase the Rams' lead four to one. In the fourth inning, the Eagles' offense started to bat through the lineup and tie several hits together. This was the turning point in the game that allowed UNW to come away with the win, as they managed to hold onto it the rest of the way. In the final two innings and the Rams down six, Jack Parker (Bordentown, NJ, Bordentown Regional High School) sparked a late-game rally for NCU's offense with a two-RBI home run over the left field fence, cutting the Eagles' lead to four. The momentum carried into the bottom of the ninth when the Rams manufactured two more runs, but Northwestern managed to survive the rally and take game two as well, 10 to eight.

Key Performers

• Chris Harding put together a 3-for-6 showing at the plate, highlighted by tallying his second home run of the season and three RBIs.
• Jack Parker recorded his first collegiate home run in a Rams uniform on Saturday, totaling two RBIs.
• Justin Torres went 3-for-8 on the day that consisted of his third home run of the year while scoring three runs.

Looking Ahead

After falling to a 2-9 (1-6 UMAC) record on the 2021 campaign, NCU baseball will have a few days of practice and preparation for when they are back in action. Next Wednesday the Rams will travel to New Ulm, Minnesota and clash with the Knights of Martin Luther College in another doubleheader conference showdown. The day will prove vital for the team as North Central continues to fight to stay in the conference playoff pitcure down the stretch. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m. To view Martin Luther'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 all upcoming game information, such as live video and statistics.