St. Paul, MN -- North Central University's (NCU) Softball team got their first two wins of the year against the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats. Lots of run production lead to frequent multi run innings for the Rams. Everyone from the team was a key part of both wins for NCU today.

Game 1 Recap:

Carla Mendoza started game one and would retire the side for the Sabercats 1,2,3 with two strikeouts. In the bottom of the first Angela Orozco would lead off the Rams with a double to left field and stealing third the pitch after. Maci Tripp would follow up with a double herself to give the Rams their first RBI of the day. More dominant pitching from Mendoza would lead to another shutout inning for NCU. The Sabercats would string together hits to take the lead in the top of the third, but North Central would take it right back in the bottom of the inning. Another hit from Orozco and a single from Delaney Riddle would tie the game at three. Riddle would score off a single from Aurora Prettyman making the game 4-3 in favor of the Rams. The game would stay like this until the fifth inning when Maranatha would tie the game at four. In the bottom of the fifth, more runs would be added on for The Blue and Gold. Charley Kastl would hit a single with the bases loaded and break the stalemate. A double from Katriana Diaz would add on two more runs for the Rams. More of the same for Rams Softball in the bottom of the sixth with three more runs after Mendoza hit a two RBI triple, and Kastl  knocking her in with a ground out to the pitcher. Softball would win the first game 10-4.

Game 2 Recap:

Mendoza would get the start again in game two and would not allow a run in the first. The Rams would bat around the order scoring four runs of their own with key RBI hits from Riddle and Mendoza. Maranatha would get a run of their own in the top of the second inning. Tripp would score in the bottom of the second after a dead ball. North Central's defense would continue to stay strong until the fifth. Two runs for  the Sabercats would bring the game to 5-3 for NCU. The Rams would allow another run in the top of the sixth. Diaz would start the bottom of the sixth with a double and Orozco would trade places with her bringing in another run for the Rams. A single from Prettyman would load the bases and Mendoza would hit a sacrifice fly to score the final run for NCU on the day. North Central would end the game with a double play and The Blue and Gold would win game two 7-4.

Key Performers:

• Carla Mendoza (Ridgecrest, CA) pitched two complete games, totaling 17 strikeouts. She would also have four hits with four RBI's.
• Angela Orozco (Los Angeles, CA) had four hits on the day, three of them being doubles. Also one RBI on the day.
• Delaney Riddle (Lake Stevens, WA) scored four runs for NCU along with two hits.

Looking Ahead:

NCU Softball will be back in will battle Augsburg University in a double header on March 30th at 4pm and 6pm CT.

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