Mankato, MN -- This morning, North Central University Softball opened its 2024 season on the road at the Bethany Kwik Trip Invitational hosted by Bethany Lutheran College. In the team's first matchup, the Rams faced the Macalester College (MAC) Scots in a game where NCU struggled mightily at the plate, unable to record a single hit. The Scots won by a score of 11-0. In game two, North Central played the Concordia College (CC) Cobbers as the Rams woke up the bats just enough to score a run. However, the Cobbers would walk away with the 9-1 win as NCU starts the weekend 0-2. 

Game 1: NCU 0, MAC 11

Senior Carla Mendoza started on the mound for the Rams. Macalester tacked on 3 runs in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead. The first three innings did not go as planned as NCU went 1,2,3 and MAC would be able to score 3 more runs to make it a 6-0 game at the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, the Scots rallied to bring home 4 additional runs with the help of an error by the Rams. North Central's hitting struggles continued in the final two innings as they could only muster a handful of walks. On a good note, the Rams displayed a much-improved defense from a year ago, only committing 2 errors in the game. MAC went on to win 11-0 with 16 total hits.

Game 2: NCU 1, CC 9

Carla Mendoza took to the mound once again. The Rams got off to a much better start in the top of the first, with senior shortstop Isabela Gallardo earning a base on balls. Aurora Prettman followed her up with a rip down to third base. Mendoza would walk and Maggie Kohl would single, but the Rams would ground out without bringing in a run. The Cobbers connected on a few balls to round out the first inning with 2 runs to take the 2-0 lead. In the next inning, graduate student Kara Lewis recorded her first career hit with a single to right field. However, a pair of strikeouts retired the inning. In the bottom of the second Concordia got rolling with a double, two singles, and a 3-run homer to left to triple their lead at 6-0. The Ram's first and one run of the day came in the third after Aurora Prettman reached on a fielder's choice and Maggie Kohl drilled a double to center field to hit Prettyman home. The Cobbers tallied 3 more runs while North Central's bats slowed down in the final two innings. 

Top Performers:

• Maggie Kohl (Jr., 1B) went 2-2 and had one RBI against Concordia.
• Aurora Prettyman (Sr., C) scored the team's only run of the day and had one stolen base.

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on softball and all things NCU Athletics.