Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) softball team returned to Xcel Field Park this afternoon to take on the Martin Luther College (MLC) Knights once again. Between today's doubleheader games, NCU softball celebrated "Senior Day" as they recognized seniors Carla Mendoza, Isabela Gallardo, and Kara Lewis. Unfortunately, the Knights would spoil the Rams senior day as they picked up a pair of wins as they defeated North Central 9-1 and 13-7 on the day.
Game 1: NCU 1, MLC 9
Martin Luther would strike first with one run in the inaugural inning of the day. In the second, the Knights hit a grand slam to increase their lead to 5-0. MLC's pitcher would have a strong showing through the first three innings as she retired the Rams 1,2,3 in each. North Central finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after Isabela Gallardo stole home to make it 5-1. NCU's defense tightened up as they put up zeros in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th innings. However, in the seventh, the Knights cracked 4 hits on their way to a 4-run inning. The Rams had no answer and would lose game one 9-1.
Game 2: NCU 7, MLC 13
In game two, the Knights once again scored one run in the top of the first. However, the Rams answered with 4 runs of their own to take a 4-1 lead. Isabela Gallardo led off with a single to left and then Kelsey Henninger laid a beautiful bunt to reach first and push Gallardo to third. Delaney Riddle stepped up and drilled a 2 RBI double to score her teammates. Maggie Kohl tripled to right field before Kara Lewis brought her home with a single to the same spot. Lewis displayed her high IQ base running and advanced to score on a wild pitch. Martin Luther responded with a run in the top of the second to make it 4-2. After a scoreless third inning, MLC rallied in the fourth with 3 hits and 4 scored runs to regain the lead at 6-4. In the bottom of the fifth, Abigail Herbolsheimer recorded her first hit of the day with a single up the middle, and then Genesis Friedl singled to left. Another MLC wild pitch would allow Friedl to come home. Riddle would reach on an error to score 2 more runs and take the 7-6 lead. The teams went back and forth as the Knights scored 3 more runs in their next offensive half. Unfortunately, a 4-run showing in the seventh would squash the Ram's hopes of a comeback. Martin Luther completed the series sweep with a 13-7 win.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
The Rams will travel to Mankato to square off with the Bethany Lutheran College Vikings in a doubleheader next Tuesday, April 23rd. Game one will begin at 5:00 PM.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on softball and all things NCU Athletics.
