New Ulm, MN -- This evening, the softball team from North Central University (NCU) traveled to New Ulm, Minnesota to face the Martin Luther College (MLC) Knights in a doubleheader to kick off the season series. When the Rams saw the Knights in the 2024 season, MLC swept NCU in all three games of the series. Today, North Central would be defeated in game one but collect their first conference win against Martin Luther, with scores of 4-6 and 4-3.

Game 1: NCU 4, MLC 6

The Rams opened the day with a promising start, scoring twice in the top of the first. Senior shortstop Isabela Gallardo led off with a single and later came around to score on a fielding error. Aurora Prettyman advanced on the bases with sharp base running and eventually scored on a two-out RBI single from freshman utility Addison Schroer, giving NCU an early 2-0 lead. Martin Luther answered with a run in the first and tied the game at 2-2 in the third, but North Central regained control in the fifth. Prettyman crushed a triple to right-center, and freshman Kaitlyn Havens followed with an RBI double. Pitcher Erica Gilles then drove in Havens with a single to make it 4-2. However, the momentum swung in the sixth. Martin Luther used a double, a triple, and a costly error to plate four runs and take a 6-4 lead. Despite putting runners on in the sixth and seventh innings, the Rams couldn't rally again. North Central tallied 12 hits in the game, including two each from Gallardo, Prettyman, and outfielders Gabbie Ruzek and Karmen Dotson. Erica Gilles struck out four over 5.1 innings before Adison Schroer came in to record the final two outs.

Game 2: NCU 4, MLC 3

In game two, North Central stayed patient and executed in key moments to secure the win. The Rams fell behind 2-0 early but got on the board in the fourth when Kaitlyn Havens singled and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Karmen Dotson. However, the turning point came in the sixth. Adison Schroer and Gabbie Ruzek led off with singles, and after a wild pitch moved both into scoring position, junior second baseman Erma Ramirez delivered an RBI single. Dotson later came home on a defensive error, giving the Rams a 3-2 lead. Prettyman opened the seventh with a single, and Erica Gilles followed with another base hit. Schroer came through once again, driving in Prettyman with a groundout to extend the lead to 4-2. Martin Luther attempted a late comeback, trimming the margin to one, but a flyout to right field ended the game with the tying run on base. Schroer went the distance in the circle, striking out seven and allowing just one walk in the complete-game win -- her third of the season. Gilles and Havens each had two hits, while Ramirez and Dotson added key RBIs.

Top Performers:

• Kaitlyn Havens (Fr., 1B): combined 3-6, 2 R, RBI, 2B, BB, HBP
• Aurora Prettyman (Sr., C): combined 3-8, 3 R, 3B
• Erica Gilles (So., P/3B): combined 3-8, RBI, 5.1 IP, 4 K

Looking Ahead:

NCU will finish up the series against MLC in New Ulm next week on Wednesday, April 23rd at 4:00 PM.

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.