SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The North Central University (NCU) baseball team finished off their weekend series with the University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS) with an afternoon Sunday game. The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) matchup pitted the Rams and the Yellowjackets against each other for nine innings with UWS ending up on top at 17-10.
 
Game Recap
 
Determined to get a better outcome than the first two games in the series, NCU answered two first inning runs from UWS with a run of their own in the second inning as Kristian Garcia (Las Vegas, LV, Palo Verde High School) scored off a hit from Daniel Montana (Tucson, AZ, Cienega High School). The Yellowjackets brought in two more runs in the same inning furthering the lead to 4-1. The Rams tied the game up in the top of the third as they scored three runs off of a homerun hit by Christian Rodriguez (Tuscon, AZ, Catalina Foothills High School). NCU kept up this offensive success with two runs in the fourth inning as they gained the lead for the first time in the game. These two runs came off a double hit by Julian Encinas (Tucson, AZ, Amphitheater High school) to left field to bring in Montana and Nate Boyer (Tempe, AZ, Seton Catholic High School).
 
However, UWS fought back in a major way in the bottom of the fourth with seven runs, putting the Yellowjackets up 12-6. In the fifth inning, the Rams controlled UWS as Matthew Oakley (Concord, NC, International Christian School of Budapest) ran home and right fielder Noah Block (Greendale, WI, Greendale Senior High School) secured two outs to hold the Yellowjackets scoreless. NCU held steady on the offensive end scoring one run in the sixth inning and two in the seventh. The later two runs came as Montana homered to right field. Unfortunately, UWS also held steady offensively as they scored five runs in those two innings combined. The eighth and ninth innings went quickly as both teams snagged three outs quickly. While the Rams put up a good fight, the seven run fourth inning put up by the Yellowjackets was too much to handle.
 
NCU is now 6-13 overall and 3-10 in the conference.
 
Key Performers
 

• Christian Rodriguez hit the Rams first homerun of the day as he recorded three RBI's and one run.
• Hitting the second homerun of the day was Daniel Montana adding in three RBI's and two runs.
• Julian Encinas went two for four from the plate hitting two RBI's and one run.

 
Looking Ahead
 
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Rams take on Northland College for another UMAC contest. The game is at NCU's home field on Wednesday, May 4, 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.