Auburndale, FL -- North Central University (NCU) baseball opened their spring break trip to Florida with a game against the Russell Sage College (RSC) Gators. Both teams came into this one searching for their first win of 2024. Despite the Rams taking a lead early in the game, the team's defense struggled late as they committed 9 errors and the Gators won in seven innings by a score of 15-5. 

Russell Sage was able to score first as they scored 2 runs on 2 hits in the first. The Rams answered back in the top of the second as Cole Graham walked with the bases loaded to score Caleb Alfaro. The Gators would answer once again as they increased their lead to 3-1 in the home half of the second. In the top of the third, NCU tied things up as Willy Cruz's infield single scored Teagan Burch. Julian Encinas would score later that inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Nick Julian. The Rams eventually took a 4-3 lead over the Gators as Nate Boyer walked in Encinas. After capitalizing on a plethora of defensive mishaps by North Central, Russell Sage would eventually retake the lead as the Rams were unable to capitalize on multiple RBI opportunities. NCU would be walked off via the mercy rule in the bottom of the seventh as RSC won by a final score of 15-5. 


Top Performers:

Julian Encinas (Sr., C) - went 3-4 with 3 singles and scored 2 runs
Willy Cruz (Jr., 1B) - went 1-1 with 1 single, 3 walks, and 2 RBI


Looking Ahead:

North Central Baseball will continue its Florida spring break schedule with a doubleheader tomorrow versus Wentworth Institute of Technology starting at 1:30 PM CST.