MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The North Central University (NCU) softball team braced the cold weather for a doubleheader against Finlandia University (FU). The lions put up more of a fight in the second game but the Rams won both games by a decent number of runs, the first score being 11-5 and the second 18-10.

Game One Recap

NCU opened up the game with a perfect combination of strong defense and solid offense. To start, the Rams only allowed one batter on base before getting three outs on the Lions. As NCU stepped up to the plate, their hitters connected with the ball early on to bring in two runs off of singles for Emma Cochran (Chewelah, WA, ) and Isabella Gallardo (Austin, TX, ). Pitcher Aaliyah Cerda (San Antonio, TX, ) controlled the game next as she threw three strikeouts in the second inning. Cerda had six strikeouts total. NCU scored twice more in the second inning off of another single from Gallardo that brought in two runs. The fourth inning brought some action from FU's offense as they scored four runs. However, the Rams responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of that same inning. Delaney Riddle (Lake Stevens, WA, ) slammed a triple to right field to bring in Gallardo, Aurora Prettyman (Portland, OR, ), and Sydney Harmon (Meno, OK, ). On the next pitch, Kali Kahalekomo's  (Muncie, IN, ) single brought home Riddle. The last two innings brought in one run for the Lions and three more for the Rams as NCU won the first game of the day 11-5. 

Game Two Recap

The second game between the Rams and the Lions was much more competitive to start. Both teams scored eight runs each in the opening two innings. Gallardo and Cochran scored first off a Lion's error followed by two more runs from singles hit by Riddle and Prettyman. On the next play, Prettyman reached home plate off of another error by FU. The Lions recorded five runs in the second inning whereas the Rams recorded three runs off of two big hits from Riddle and Kahalekomo , tying the score up at 8-8 going into the top of the third. FU scored twice more in the third inning, but the Rams won the third inning as their offense took off with seven runs scored. Cochran and Gallardo both hit doubles to right field later followed by a triple hit by Prettyman to center field. After a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, the Rams racked in three more runs in the fifth inning to seal the win, 18-10.

After 15 games on the season, the Rams fall one game shy of .500 with a 7-8 record. NCU currently holds a six game win streak.

Key Performers

• Center fielder Isabella Gallardo dominated on the offense end in both games with six total RBI's, five total runs, and five for seven from the plate combined.
• Delaney Riddle added four RBI's, and one run in just one game.
• Emma Cochran hit four out of five pitches as she recorded three RBI's and three runs in the second game.
• In the second matchup, Aurora Prettyman brought in three RBI's, two runs, and went two for three from the plate. Prettyman also grabbed two outs and one assists from home plate.

Looking Ahead

The Rams match up with Augsburg University Mar. 30 for another doubleheader with games set for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the softball team and much more information.