Leesburg, FL -- Today, North Central University (NCU) Baseball competed in a doubleheader against the Trine University Thunder to wrap up their spring break trip to Florida. Today, the Rams would compete in both contests, but would be unable to close out the game in the late innings. NCU lost game one 8-3 and game two 7-4 after a sixth-inning comeback attempt.
Game 1: NCU 3, TRINE 8
The Rams got off to a strong start in the first game, scoring 2 runs in the top of the first inning. After loading the bases with a series of patient at-bats, junior
Jacobi Woodfin drew a walk to bring in the first run, and a wild pitch allowed sophomore
Caleb Alfaro to score, giving NCU an early 2-0 advantage. Trine responded immediately with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, cutting the lead to 2-1. The Thunder then took control in the second inning, scoring 2 unearned runs after a North Central defensive miscue. Despite a strong start on the mound from junior
Tim Yohan Dixon, the Rams found themselves trailing 3-2. North Central continued to battle, but Trine extended its lead in the fourth inning with a pair of runs and followed up with 3 more in the fifth. The Rams' bullpen, including
Cardiff Smith and
Joseph Sperando, worked to limit further damage, but the Thunder's offense capitalized on key moments to push their lead. Offensively, the Rams found some late life in the sixth inning when sophomore
Jordan Trevino ripped an RBI double down the left-field line, bringing in another run to make it 8-3. However, NCU was unable to rally further, and Trine closed out the victory.
Game 2: NCU 4, TRINE 7
In the second game, Trine once again struck first, capitalizing on early opportunities in the first inning to plate 3 runs. The Rams struggled to get their offense going in the early innings, as Trine's starter held them hitless through five frames. NCU's pitching staff, led by sophomore
Joseph Sperando, settled in after the first inning, keeping the game within reach. A solo home run by Trine in the sixth extended their lead to 4-0. The Rams came alive in the bottom of the sixth, scoring 4 runs to tie the game at 4-4. Junior
Jonah Taylor led the charge with a clutch two-run double to right-center, and a well-executed sacrifice fly by
Jacobi Woodfin brought in another run. An error by Trine allowed the tying run to score, giving NCU renewed energy heading into the final frame. However, the Thunder responded immediately in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs to reclaim a 7-4 lead. NCU had a chance in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on base, but the Rams couldn't convert as the Thunder's closer shut the door.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
Up next, the Rams return home to play Hamline University in a doubleheader at the US Bank Stadium on Tuesday, March 11th at 9:30 PM and 12:00 AM.
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