Naples, FL -- Earlier today, North Central University (NCU) Softball played another pair of games as the Rams took on the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (PITT) Panthers and the Alfred State College (ASC) Pioneers. In their first meeting yesterday, NCU picked up its first win of the year by a score of 11-9. In game 1, NCU scored two runs in the first inning, but the bats stalled and Pitt Bradford was able to win 12-2. In game 2, the Rams had another hot start by scoring two runs in the first once again. Innings 2-5 went scoreless by both squads but the scoring ramped up in the back half of the game. Up one going into the bottom of the ninth, North Central gave up two runs as Alfred State got the 11-10 walk-off victory. 

Game 1: NCU 2, PITT 12

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to a pair of singles that eventually scored two runs. The Rams then took the plate and tied the game with a line out from Delaney Riddle and a single by Carla Mendoza. The Panthers regained the lead in the top of the second after an NCU error scored two runs to give Bradford the upper hand at 4-2. In the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers scored a total of six runs off of six hits. Mendoza led the Rams with two hits on three plate appearances. North Central recorded just three hits in the game and Pitt was able to take this one 12-2. 

Game 2: NCU 10, ASC 11

North Central opened the scoring in the top of the first things to two ground outs. Delaney Riddle hit Isabela Gallardo home for the first score of the game. Aurora Prettyman grounded out to score Katelynn Fox. Alfred State responded by getting on the board in the bottom of the first with an unearned run. Innings two, three, and four went scoreless. In the top of the fifth, Riddle reached on a fielder's choice to bring Gallardo home and take a 3-1 lead. The Pioneers were able to tie the game in the bottom of the inning as they recorded three hits, scoring two runs. After a scoreless sixth inning, the Rams got rolling on offense. Fox started with a single and scored when Prettyman RBI singled to right field. Maggie Kohl reached on an error and then Carla Mendoza singled to score Prettyman. Kohl and Mendoza advanced home on a pair of wild pitches as NCU took a 7-3 lead. However, Alfred State had an answer as they also scored four runs to tie the game at seven all. In the eighth, Gallardo lined out to allow Maci Tripp to reach home. Fox then singled for the second straight at-bat and Karmen Dotson scored the Rams' ninth run of the game. Per usual, the Pioneers responded with two runs of their own to tie things at 9–9. A single by Mendoza gave North Central the lead, 10-9, heading into the bottom of the ninth. However, the pioneers rallied to score 2 runs and secure the walk-off 11-10 win over the Rams. 
 

Top Performers:

• Katelynn Fox (Jr., CF) - went 3-5 with 3 runs and 1 RBI on the day
• Carla Mendoza (Sr., P) - went 4-8 with 3 RBI and 1 scored run

Looking Ahead:

Softball will finish its Florida schedule with a double header tomorrow as they take on St. Joseph's University Brooklyn at 10 AM CT and Eureka College at 12 PM CT. 

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