St. Paul, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) softball team took on the Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) Sabercats in a non-conference doubleheader today at the West St. Paul Dome. The Rams would sweep the Sabercats by winning both games via the mercy rule. NCU won game one 11-3 and game two 14-1. North Central was able to score 25 total runs off 14 hits across both games as they put themselves back in the win column. 

Game 1: NCU 11, MBU 3

NCU pitcher, Carla Mendoza got off to a good start as she had herself a perfect first inning picking up two strikeouts. The Rams were able to push across 3 runs as Maci Tripp's walk brought Kelsey Henninger home. NCU scored two more runs as Mendoza reached first on an error from the Sabercats. The Rams picked up 4 more runs in the second as Henninger singled to score Isabela Gallardo. Maggie Kohl singled to bring in Henninger and the Rams scored two additional runs off another error from Maranatha. MBU would try to chip away at NCU's lead as they scored 3 in the top of the 4th. However, the Rams matched the Sabercats and scored 3 runs of their own in the home half of the 4th inning to lead 10-3. In the bottom of the 5th, Gallardo reached base on an error and Henninger was hit by a pitch. Delaney Riddle stepped up to the plate and doubled down the line to score Gallardo as the Rams walked it off via mercy rule to win game one 11-3 at the bottom of the 5th inning.
 

Game 2: NCU 14, MBU 1

Carla Mendoza would be in the circle once again as she struck out the side to open up inning one. The Rams would be able to score 6 runs off 2 hits in the home half of the first as MBU's pitcher struggled to find the zone. North Central stayed patient at the plate and would be able to work 6 walks in the inning. The Rams scored two off an error and a passed ball from the Sabercats catcher. Mendoza would pick up 2 RBIs in the first as she singled to left to score Aurora Prettyman and Delaney Riddle. Maci Tripp would single to center and bring in Maggie Kohl to make it 5-0 Rams. Kara Lewis would have herself an RBI as she grounded out to score Mendoza to make it 6-0 NCU. North Central kept their foot on the gas as they scored 8 more runs in the second to take a commanding lead. NCU took advantage of defensive mistakes from Maranatha as the Sabercats had a total of 4 errors in that inning. By the second inning, it would be 14-1 in favor of the Rams. Maranatha found their footing defensively after the second as they held North Central scoreless for the rest of the game. 

The Sabercats would be able to get themselves on the board in the top of the second as they made it 14-1. However, that would be the only run they would have of game two as Mendoza put up zeros in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings striking out 7 and giving up 3 hits to pick up her third win on the year. 

Top Performers:

• Carla Mendoza (Sr., RHP) - 10 IP, 14 SO, 2 W, 2 ER and 3-6 (9 RBI, 2B, 3B, 2 R) across both games. 
• Delaney Riddle (Jr., 3B) - 4-7 (2 RBI, 2 2B, 3 R) across both games.
• Kelsey Henninger (Jr., CF) - 2-4 (3 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB, 2 HBP) across both games. 

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