Mankato, MN -- Today, the baseball team from North Central University (NCU) completed their series against the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings in a doubleheader. Yesterday, the series kicked off with a loss to the Rams with a score of 11-1. This afternoon, the Rams would be swept by the Vikings, losing 13-2 and 15-5 as errors would prove costly for NCU.

Game 1: NCU 2, BLC 13
 

The NCU bats came alive in the middle innings. Jonah Taylor led the way with a perfect 3-3 performance, driving in both of the Rams' runs on clutch singles in the fourth and sixth innings. Caleb Alfaro also had a productive day at the plate, going 2-3 with a ground-rule double that set the tone for a fourth-inning rally. Dawson Barson and Jacobi Woodfin each worked a walk to give NCU baserunners, and Abiram Terron De Jesus wore a pitch to load the bases during a key sixth-inning push. Though the Rams were unable to capitalize fully, the sequence showed the lineup's potential to manufacture runs. On the mound, Cardiff Smith gave NCU some solid innings in relief, allowing no earned runs over four innings while recording a strikeout and limiting hard contact. Nate Boyer followed with a frame of his own, recording one strikeout and limiting further damage in the sixth. NCU would unfortunately not bring home enough runs to compete with the Vikings, losing 13-2 in 7 innings. 

Game 2: NCU 5, BLC 15

The Rams fell behind 1-0 in the second after a defensive miscue led to an unearned run, but they quickly responded with authority in the top of the third. Senior Chris Garza got the inning started with a single, and Jacobi Woodfin followed with one of his own. After a walk by Caleb Alfaro loaded the bases, catcher Teagan Burch delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the game. Jonah Taylor and Dawson Barson each chipped in RBIs of their own, and a wild pitch allowed a third run to cross the plate. By the time the dust settled, North Central had posted a four-run inning and taken a 4-1 lead. The hosts evened things up in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a balk and a pair of timely hits. Undeterred, North Central pushed back in the fourth. A walk by Jacobi Woodfin and a wild pitch put a runner in scoring position for Burch, who laced a double to right field, driving in his second run of the game and giving the Rams a 5-4 lead. Bethany tied the game in the bottom of the fourth and, from there, slowly took control. North Central's offense was held to just one hit over the final four innings, and the Rams were unable to answer a series of run-scoring innings from their opponent. Despite the late fade, the Rams saw several encouraging performances at the plate. Teagan Burch led the way with going 2-4, including a double and two RBIs. Dawson Barson also collected a pair of hits and an RBI, while Jonah Taylor reached base twice and added a run batted in. On the mound, Michael Newsome worked through four innings, allowing five hits and just one earned run, while Jacob Garcia and Cameron Pittman followed in relief. Although the Rams battled in early innings, they ultimately fell 15-5 in 8 innings. 

Top Performers:

• Jonah Taylor (Jr., CF): 4-6, 3 RBI, BB
• Caleb Alfaro (So., LF): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB
• Teagan Burch (Sr., C): 2-4 in game two, 2 RBI, R
• Cardiff Smith (Gr., RHP): 4.0 IP in game one, 3 H, SO, 0 ER, 0 BB

Looking Ahead:

NCU will have their home opener next week as they host the Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) Sabercats for a doubleheader. The games will take place on Monday, April 7th at 2:00 and 4:30 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.