CLERMONT, Flor. -- The North Central University (NCU) softball team headed into their last day of the Spring Games Tournament with a game against the Pilgrims of New England College (NEC) first and a second matchup with the Blue Jays of Elizabethtown College (EC). The Rams lost a tough one to the Pilgrims, 21-4, and drop a close game to the Blue Jays in the final inning, losing 6-4.

Game One Recap

On their last day of play, the Rams suited up against a strong NEC softball team. The pilgrims had a good couple of starting innings to give them an impressive lead over NCU. The Rams, however, didn't let the score phase them and picked it up in the third inning. NCU only allowed one run in the top of the third and ended their defensive turn with a strikeout from pitcher Catherine SanMiguel (San Antonio, TX, Kaiserslautern High School). The Rams switched out pitchers three times in this game, granting Aaliyah Cerda (San Antonio, TX), Katelynn Fox (Hedesville, WV), Carla Mendoza (Ridgecrest, CA), and SanMiguel all a chance at the mound.

The bottom of the third was NCU's best show of offense scoring their four runs. First, an Aurora Prettyman (Portland, OR) walk brought in Lindsey DeJong (St. Charles, MO, St. Charles High School) followed by a Pilgrim error that got Kali Kahalekomo (Muncie, IN) in past home plate. Emma Cochran (Chewelah, WA) singled to left field which let Isabella Gallardo (Austin, TX, ) score and finally, another walk, this time for Selma Carrasco (El Paso, TX, Mountain View High School), made it full circle as Prettyman got across home plate. NEC saw a bit more offensive action in the last two innings as they eventually beat the Rams 21-4.

Game Two Recap

NCU regrouped after the morning loss, determined to have a competitive final game of the tournament. And that they did. The opening inning was a stalemate, but the second inning went to the Rams as pitcher Hosanna Gattle (Merrit Island, FL, ) singled to left field to bring in Kahalekomo . Gattle singled again in the third inning, this time to right field, then advanced to second on a Blue Jay error to let Carrasco and Lily Adams (White Bear Lake, MN, White Bear Lake Area High School) bump the score up to 3-0 in favor of the Rams. EC bounced back in the fourth inning with two runs of their own. NCU stopped any offensive action from the Blue Jays, as shortstop Kahalekomo  snagged three quick outs in the fifth, and a combination of Cochran in right field, Gattle at the pitcher's mound, and Carrasco at second base got the three outs in the sixth. At the top of the seventh, Cochran scored another run for the Rams after a clutch hit from Gallardo, putting the Rams up 4-2. Unfortunately, NCU was unable to hold off the batters from EC in the seventh and the Blue Jays stole the game winning 6-4.

Key Performers

• Emma Cochran had a total of three outs, one run, and one RBI on the day.
• Aurora Prettyman recorded six total outs, one RBI, and one run.
• Hosanna Gattle had three RBI's in the second game alone.

Looking Ahead

The Rams leave the hot Florida weather to return to the cold Minnesota air with a couple of weeks of rest. On Friday the 18th, they face off with NCCAA North Region opponent, Maranatha Baptist University, for a double header with games at 3 pm and 5 pm on NCU's home field. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the softball team and much more information.