MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The North Central University (NCU) baseball team took on the number one seed in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), Crown College (CC). The Rams dropped the first game of the afternoon 12-1 and also dropped the second at 13-3.

Game One Recap

The Storm wasted no time getting on the board scoring four runs in the first inning. Rams pitcher Jack Parker (Bordentown, NJ, Bordentown Regional High School) ended CC's offensive stint in the first inning with a strike out, but NCU had a hard time generating offense of their own. In the first three innings, Kristian Garcia (Las Vegas, NV, Palo Verde High School) was the only Ram to make it on base off of a hit. Meanwhile, the Storm scored four more runs in the second inning and three in the fourth inning. Matthew Oakley (Concord, NC, International Christian School of Budapest) singled up the center of the field in the bottom of the fourth inning but the Rams first run did not come until the sixth inning. Julian Encinas (Tucson, AZ, Amphitheater High school) doubled and was eventually brought home off a hit from Christian Rodriguez (Tuscon, AZ, Catalina Foothills High School). CC scored just one more run in the seventh inning and finished the game with quick outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Game Two Recap

In the first inning, the Storm continued to do well on the offensive end as they scored five runs. The Rams were able to get their offense going in the first inning. Teyghan Hovland (Austin, MN, Austin High School) doubled down right field and then was brought home after a hit from Parker. The next three innings were fast and uneventful. Almost all the NCU fielders were in on the defensive action. Pitcher Encinas recorded two strikeouts in this three inning period. CC scored four runs each in the fifth and sixth innings. The Rams shut down the Storm in the seventh inning and started to heat up at home plate. Oakley reached home after a hit by Nicolas Sheley (Pendleton, Oregon, Pendleton High School). Then Garcia scored off of a CC error. These runs brought the Ram's total up to three but was unfortunately not enough to overcome the Storm.

Key Performers

• In the first game, Julian Encinas recorded five outs, one run, and went one for two from the plate.
• Kyle Huerth (Moorpark, CA, Moorpark High School) and Teyghan Hovland held down the outfield with a total of six outs each.
• Kristian Garcia went two for three at the plate with one run and four put outs in the second game.

Looking Ahead

The Rams continue their battle with the Storm with another game tomorrow, Saturday Apr. 23, at 12 p.m. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the baseball team and more important information.