ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- With a noon start, the North Central University (NCU) faced the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) for the first time this season. The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) matchup had been rescheduled several times due to weather and today the Rams finally got a game with the Cougars. UMM conjured up some late offense to ultimately take down NCU 17-6.

Game Recap

Christian Rodriguez (Tuscon, AZ, Catalina Foothills High School) secured the first two outs for the Rams with two strikeouts. NCU completed the first inning as the Cougars grounded out to second baseman Chris Garza. Neither of the teams scored in the first two innings. The Rams infield did well early on against the UMM batters not letting the Cougars past third base. In the bottom of the third inning, NCU's offense started to heat up. With two outs, Jack Parker (Bordentown, NJ, Bordentown Regional High School) doubled to right field to bring in Kyle Huerth (Moorpark, CA, Moorpark High School) and Garza to put the Rams up 2-0.

The Rams remained on top in the fourth inning but UMM tied up the game in the fifth inning and then went on to take the lead in the sixth inning as they scored six runs. NCU responded with four runs of their own by loading up the bases with runners. Then Nicolas Sheley (Pendleton, Oregon, Pendleton High School) was walked letting Matthew Oakley (Concord, NC, International Christian School of Budapest) score, and Huerth was hit by a pitch which consequently led to a run from Kristian Garcia (Las Vegas, LV, Palo Verde High School). Julian Encinas (Tucson, AZ, Amphitheater High school) singled to right field bringing in Nate Boyer (Tempe, AZ, Seton Catholic High School) and finally Parker singled to left field to bring in Sheley to finished up the sixth inning. The Cougars scored two more runs in the seventh inning and stopped the Rams for scoring any to remain in the lead10-6. The eighth inning gave seven more runs to UMM and that ended the game for NCU as they were unable to overcome that deficit.

The Rams now drop to 6-9 on the season and 3-6 in the conference.

Key Performers
 

• After six innings pitched, Christian Rodriguez threw seven strike outs.
• Jack Parker recorded three RBI's while also snagged six putouts at first base.
• Kyle Huerth added in one RBI and one run.

Looking Ahead

The Rams match up with the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) for the third time this season looking to get their first win over the Eagles. The game will be held on NCU's home turf on Tuesday, Apr. 26, at 3 p.m. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the baseball team and much more information.