Kissimmee, FL -- The North Central University (NCU) softball team continued their early-season stretch in Florida with a pair of contests against Clark University and Chatham University. The Rams continued their hot starts, leading the first two innings in both matchups. However, defensive struggles would lead to costly late-game scoring runs that would ultimately lead to losses. NCU fell 15-2 to Clark and 11-3 to Chatham.
Game 1: NCU 2, CU 15
The Rams started strong against Clark University, taking an early lead in the first inning. A disciplined plate appearance by senior
Isabela Gallardo helped her reach base before a timely RBI single from sophomore
Erica Gilles put North Central on the board first. Defensively, the Rams held firm through the first two innings, keeping Clark off the scoreboard. However, the momentum shifted in the third inning when Clark capitalized on a series of hits and defensive miscues to push across 9 total runs. Despite the adversity, NCU continued to fight, responding in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI double from freshman
Kaitlyn Havens to plate Gallardo. Havens led the way offensively for the Rams, going 2-2 with a double and an RBI. Gallardo also contributed with a hit and a stolen base. Freshman
Addison Schroer battled in the circle, but Clark's offensive surge proved difficult to contain as they tacked on additional runs in the later innings to win 15-2.
Game 2: NCU 3, CU 11
In the second game of the doubleheader, North Central once again got off to a strong start.
Isabela Gallardo's patience at the plate earned her a walk, and aggressive base running allowed her to score after an opponent's defensive miscue. The Rams continued to put pressure on Chatham, adding two more runs in the second inning thanks to a clutch bunt single by senior
Kelsey Henninger and an RBI single from Gallardo to lead the Cougars 3-1 heading into the bottom of the third. Chatham responded in the third with 3 runs, but NCU's defense kept them within striking distance. Henninger provided a spark with a multi-hit game, showing her ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities.
Karmen Dotson also showcased her speed, swiping a base to help set up the offense. Despite North Central's best efforts, Chatham pulled away with a big fifth inning, taking advantage of timely hitting and a few defensive errors. Pitcher
Addison Schroer once again put in a determined effort on the mound, throwing over four innings while battling through challenging situations. Chatham ended the game in the middle of the fifth inning at 11-3.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
On Saturday, March 8th, North Central will face Penn State Brandywine (PSB) at 12:45 PM CT and UMass Dartmouth (UMD) at 3:25 PM CT.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on softball and all things NCU Athletics.
