Maple Grove, MN -- Today, the North Central University (NCU) softball team hosted the Crown College (CC) Polars for the second day in their series with a doubleheader. Yesterday, the Rams fell to the Polars by a score of 10-1. Today, the Polars would take a series sweep over the Rams, as they defeated North Central in both games with a score of 10-1 and 11-2.
Game 1: NCU 1, CC 10
The Polars scored 3 runs in the top of the game to take the early lead. Senior
Isabela Gallardo got things started for the Rams with a leadoff single down the left field line and quickly moved into scoring position on a defensive miscue and a passed ball. A walk by senior
Aurora Prettyman put two on base, and senior third baseman
Delaney Riddle drove in Gallardo with a well-placed ground ball, putting the Rams on the board early. However, Crown responded immediately, putting up three runs in the top of the first. They tacked on additional runs in the second and third innings, highlighted by a pair of extra-base hits and a home run, to extend the lead. Despite the offensive pressure, freshman pitcher
Adison Schroer kept her composure in the circle, going the distance and recording several quick innings, including a scoreless fourth. The Rams' defense also turned a smooth double play and had solid moments in the field, but couldn't fully contain the opposition's bats, who scored in four of the five innings played. Polars took game one by a final score of 10-1.
Game 2: NCU 2, CC 11
The second game began with promise for NCU, as they matched their opponent's opening run in the bottom of the first. After a miscue allowed a run in the top half,
Delaney Riddle led off the bottom frame with a single and came around to score on a sharply hit RBI single by freshman
Kaitlyn Havens, tying the game at one apiece. The middle innings proved challenging, as Crown used a mix of timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to put up multi-run frames. A four-run third inning broke the game open, including a pair of RBI singles and a wild pitch that allowed a Polars' run to score. They added another in the fourth and later surged for four more runs in the sixth, highlighted by a bases-clearing double and a series of consecutive hits. Still, the Rams continued to compete. Riddle remained hot at the plate, blasting a double in the third, while
Gabbie Ruzek sparked a mini-rally in the fifth with a leadoff double. She would come around to score on a productive RBI groundout from Gallardo, who collected her second RBI of the day.
Adison Schroer made her second start and worked into the fifth before Gallardo entered in relief, combining for three strikeouts and forcing groundouts and flyouts. Crown completed the season sweep with an 11-2 victory in 6 innings.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
The Rams will host the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings next weekend. The series will kick off on Friday, April 4th at 4:00 PM.
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