Maple Grove, MN -- Today, the baseball team from North Central University (NCU) began their second home UMAC series as they faced the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS) Yellowjackets in a doubleheader. In the 2024 season, the Rams defeated the Yellowjackets in just one of the three games of their series. Today, North Central would be swept by Superior as they were defeated with final scores of 13-2 and 13-3. The Yellowjackets were all over the Rams pitching staff, totaling a staggering 11 home runs on the afternoon. 

Game 1: NCU 2, UWS 13

After a scoreless opening frame, the Rams quickly fell behind in the top of the second inning as the visiting team broke through for five runs, including back-to-back home runs. North Central responded immediately in the bottom half, sparked by Teagan Burch reaching base via hit-by-pitch and a double from junior shortstop Dawson Barson. Brett Letness brought in Teagan Burch with an RBI groundout, and freshman third baseman Abiram Terron De Jesus followed with an RBI groundout to plate Barson, trimming the deficit to 5-2. Sophomore outfielder Jonah Taylor added a single in the third inning, but the Rams struggled to build further momentum. Meanwhile, Superior extended its lead with runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, highlighted by a two-run homer and three more solo blasts in the sixth. NCU's bullpen combined for five innings of work, with Cardiff Smith, Nate Boyer, and Jayden Mersereau seeing action in relief of starter Michael Newsome. Burch finished the game with a hit and a run, while Barson's double led to a score and a run. The Rams lost 13-2 by way of run rule.

Game 2: NCU 3, UWS 13

North Central battled again in the second contest but fell behind early after the visitors hit a pair of home runs in the second and third innings. Starter Brian Dahlstrand kept things close through the early frames, though defensive miscues and free passes allowed Superior to add on throughout the middle innings. Trailing 12–0 in the sixth, the Rams found life thanks to Steven Fortune's power. Following an error that allowed sophomore Taylor to reach base, Fortune sent a deep shot over the right-field fence for a two-run home run—the first of his NCU career. In the seventh, Letness delivered a solo home run to straightaway center, his first long ball of the season. Despite the late push, the Rams couldn't close the gap, as Superior added one more unearned run in the eighth. North Central relievers Jacob Garcia, Crespin Herrera Il-Kult, and Tim Bullert each contributed out of the bullpen, combining for four innings of work. The Rams fell 13-3 after 8 innings. 

Top Performers:

• Steven Fortune (So., OF): 1-2, HR, 2 RBI in game 2
• Brett Letness (Jr., 1B/P): HR, RBI, R in game 2
• Teagan Burch (Sr., C): 1-3, R, BB on the day
• Dawson Barson (Jr., IF): 1-2, R, 2B in game one

Looking Ahead:

Tomorrow, the Rams will return to Gleason Field to wrap up their series with the Yellowjackets. First pitch is slated for 12:00 PM. 

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on baseball and all things NCU Athletics.