MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Following their Florida games, the North Central University (NCU) softball team regrouped to face off against Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) out of NCCAA's North Region. The Rams dominated the double-header walking away with two wins, 14-2 for the first, and 15-7 for the second.

Game One Recap 

The first game couldn't have started out better for the Rams when Selma Carrasco (El Paso, TX, Mountain View High School) homered her first pitch to left field to put NCU up in the first inning. The hitting success didn't stop there as the Rams racked up run after run throughout the game. Lily Adams (White Bear Lake, MN, White Bear Lake Area High School) was vital to NCU's offense as she got three hits and four RBI's. Pitcher Hosanna Gattle (Merrit Island, FL, ) also got three hits bringing two runs and scoring one herself. On the mound, Gattle threw five strikeouts. The NCU base runners stole six bases, a record for the season and tying a game back in the 2019 season. By the end of the third inning, it was over for MBU the Rams being up 12-2. NCU scored two more runs to finish the game with a decisive score of 14-2. 

Game Two Recap

The Rams didn't see a ball they didn't like in the opening two innings as they smashed pitch after pitch to bring in 12 total runs in innings one and two. A number of NCU players contributed to this explosive offense including Brooke McGlinchey (Belle Plaine, MN, ) who doubled to left field in the first inning bringing in Aurora Prettyman (Portland, OR, ) and Delaney Riddle (Lake Stevens, WA, ). Later in the second inning, Isabella Gallardo (Austin, TX, ) doubled to center field letting Nichelle Henderson (Brooklyn Park, MN, Park Center High School) cross home plate. And to put the icing on the cake, Carla Mendoza (Ridgecrest, CA, ) hit a triple to right field brining in Gallardo and Sydney Harmon (Meno, OK, ). This gap in the score was also increased by the Rams' defense as they only allowed one run in the first two innings, and seven overall. At first base, D. Riddle had the majority of the action with eight outs assisted three times by third base Catherine SanMiguel (San Antonio, TX, Kaiserslautern High School). The Rams recorded six stolen bases for the second time of the day.

Last season, NCU split their four game stint with MBU. But this season, the Rams are off to a great start, winning the first two against the Sabercats, and looking for two more tomorrow as these same teams match up for another double-header.

Key Performers

• In the first game, Lily Adams recorded three hits, four RBI's, and five outs.
• Selma Carrasco got her first home run of the season along with four runs.
• Hosanna Gattle added in a variety of stats with five strikeouts, three hits, two RBI's, and one run.
• Center field Isabella Gallardo had two hits, two runs, two RBI's, and two outs.

Looking Ahead

The Rams get in a couple more non-conference matchups, including another double-header with MBU tomorrow at 9 and 11 am. Next Thursday the 24th, NCU has a double-header against Finlandia University. The games will be held in Minneapolis at 3 and 5 pm. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the softball team and much more information.