Minneapolis, MN -- North Central University (NCU) softball continued Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play today as they played host to the Knights of Martin Luther College (MLC). On this rather chilly and windy April evening, the Rams came out cold defensively as they committed 4 errors in the first inning, allowing 5 runs. MLC would command this one as they went on to win 13-2.
The Knights jumped out to a big lead early in this as they scored 5 runs in the first inning. The Rams defense gave up 4 errors in the first as they found themselves trailing 5-0. MLC kept their hot bats in the second as they totaled 5 more hits and scored 4 additional runs to make it 9-0 in favor of Martin Luther. Junior Aurora Prettyman recorded the Ram's first hit of the game with a single down the left-field line. Kelsey Henninger followed that up with an infield single of her own. Unfortunately, three KOs left the Rams scoreless again. Martin Luther would be able to plate 3 more runs in the top of the third to eventually go up 12-0 on NCU. Isabela Gallardo singled to left for her first hit of the day and then stole second on the ensuing pitch. Delaney Riddle stepped up to the plate and hit an RBI single to center to score Gallardo for the Ram's first run of the evening. Gallardo did her job in the top of the fourth as she allowed just one hit, but nothing hurt. In the bottom of the fourth, Prettyman would get her second hit of the day with a single to right field this time. The Knights tacked on one more run in the top of the fifth inning. With NCU's last chance to mount a comeback, Gallardo got things started with a hard ground ball to third base to reach first. Maci Tripp then singled to left field and Riddle walked to load the bases. Maggie Kohl hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Gallardo to score North Central's second run of the game. Unfortunately, NCU's hopes of a late-game comeback would be squashed and MLC would win game one by a final score of 13-2.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
Softball returns to Xcel Field Park for a "Senior Day" doubleheader to close out their series with the Knights starting at noon tomorrow.
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