Auburndale, FL -- Tonight, the North Central University (NCU) baseball team jumped back into spring break competition after a day of rest to take on the Trine University (TU) Thunder in a doubleheader. In game one, the Rams got down early but battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the 5th. Trine eventually took the lead in the bottom of the 6th and held it until the end to win 4-2. In game 2, the Rams started out much better than the previous game, taking a 5-0 lead after the bottom of the 3rd. Late-game defensive struggles and base running errors led to the Thunder mounting a 10-8 comeback win over NCU.

Game 1: NCU 2, TU 4 (7 Innings)

The top of the first inning was lackluster for the Rams; however, TU was able to sneak in a double at the bottom of the first, making the score 0-2. The next four innings were also uneventful, as both teams played solid defensively. Things began to look up for North Central at the top of the 5th. Nate Boyer reached 1st on a walk but was eventually thrown out at second when Andres Gonzales reached on a fielders choice. He managed to steal second just before Caleb Alfaro singled to right field, bumping Gonzales to third. With Teagan Burch at the plate, a ground out to the shortstop would allow Gonzales to score NCU's first run of the game. A hit from Julian Encinas would bring Alfaro home, tying this one at the top of the fifth. The Thunder would be unable to break this tie late in the bottom of the 6th. A North Central dropped ball error would actually help the Rams get out of the inning as they turned the double play. Trine took a 4-2 lead into the top of the 7th inning. With a runner on base, the Thunder would retire the inning and secure the 4-2 game one victory. 


Game 2: NCU 8, TU 10 (8 Innings)

NCU started off strong, shutting down Trine at the top of the first inning and scoring in the bottom, thanks to a wild pitch sending Caleb Alfaro to third and another well-placed single by Julian Encinas to send him home. Trine was unable to get on the board in the second and third innings, with the score staying 1-0 until a fiery third inning by the Rams. Alfaro singled to start things off. A series of walks and wild pitches allowed NCU to load the bases, and Christian Rodriguez got hit by a pitch to bring Alfaro home. Trine changed up their pitcher, but couldn't seem to recover as Nick Julian secured yet another walk, sending Burch home. Gonzales would also draw a walk, allowing Encinas to secure another run, bringing the score to 4-0. The Thunder subbed out their pitcher once again, but gave away a final walk to Cole Graham that allowed Rodriguez to round out the inning 5-0. 

Things seemed to be looking bleak for TU, but the top of the fourth came with a run to make it 5-1. NCU answered back with another run, scoring off of an error by the pitcher that allowed Encinas to reach first and Michael Escalante to score. Unfortunately for the Rams, the top of the fifth marked the beginning of the end as the Thunder scored 4 runs to pull with one run. 

However, North Central's offense was not done yet as they filled the bases quickly with a double from Nate Boyer and a single from Andres Gonzales. Trine changed pitchers and NCU used this to their advantage as Caleb Alfaro hit an impressive triple to the right center, sending Gonzales safely home. A wild pitch would allow Alfaro to follow shortly after, rounding out the bottom of the 5th with the Rams leading 8-5. TU managed to tie up the score at the top of the 6th, where the two teams stalled until the top of the 8th. Trine managed to score two more runs to take the lead for the first time all game. North Central was unable to break the two-point lead as they lost another close one at 10-8. 


Top Performers:

Caleb Alfaro (Fr., LF) - went 6-9 (Game 1: 1B 1B 1B) (Game 2: 1B 1B 3B), 1 RBI, and 1 scored run through two games
Teagan Burch (Jr., DH/C) - went 3-7 (Game 1: 1B) (Game 2: BB 1B), 1 RBI, and 1 scored run through two games


Looking Ahead:

The team will play again tomorrow in an evening contest with Suffolk University at 5:30 PM CST.

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