Maple Grove, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) Softball celebrated "Senior Day" this afternoon as they faced the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings in a doubleheader. Yesterday, the Vikings defeated the Rams 16-1 in 5 innings. Today, the Rams would struggle offensively and defensively, totaling just 3 total hits and 14 errors on the day. Bethany Lutheran took both games by the run-rule at 19-0 and 17-1.
Game 1: NCU 0, BLC 19
The game began with a rocky first inning for North Central. After a leadoff error and stolen base, the Vikings capitalized on a series of miscues to plate six runs on four hits. Still, freshman right fielder Addison Schroer made a routine catch for the first out, and senior catcher
Aurora Prettyman held strong behind the plate despite challenging conditions and a swirling wind. In the bottom of the first, senior infielder
Isabela Gallardo showed discipline at the plate, drawing a walk to get on base. However, three consecutive strikeouts ended the Rams' opening opportunity. North Central pitcher
Erica Gilles, a sophomore from Washington, began to settle in during the second inning. After allowing a leadoff walk and a fielding error, Gilles and the defense held their opponents scoreless. Junior
Erma Ramirez helped close out the inning with a steady play at second base. The third inning saw the Rams continue to battle defensively. Although Bethany Lutheran extended its lead to 9-0, Gilles stayed poised in the circle through the pressure. Her effort was backed by plays from the infield as the Rams attempted to contain the momentum. Offensively, the Rams struggled against strong pitching, but batters like Schroer, Prettyman, and freshman
Karmen Dotson stayed aggressive, forcing deep counts and making solid contact even if it didn't result in hits. In the fourth inning, the Vikings added five more runs, but Gilles continued to display toughness in her first game on the mound. The Rams' final opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth, with Gilles, Schroer, and Dotson putting the ball in play. Despite their efforts, the Vikings closed out the game to secure the shutout at 19-0, as they capitalized on 9 NCU errors.
Game 2: NCU 1, BLC 17
Looking to bounce back in Game 2, the Rams took the field behind freshman pitcher Addison Schroer, who opened the game with intensity. Despite some early traffic on the bases, Schroer stayed composed and forced multiple ground balls to help limit the damage. Offensively, NCU made early contact but couldn't break through in the first.
Isabela Gallardo,
Aurora Prettyman, and sophomore
Erica Gilles all put the ball in play, forcing the opposing defense to stay alert. In the second inning, senior
Delaney Riddle sparked the Rams with a sharp single to left field. Freshman
Gabbie Ruzek followed by putting a ball in play, but a heads-up defensive double play by the Vikings ended the inning prematurely. The Rams' best offensive moment came in the fourth.
Aurora Prettyman ripped a triple to right field, her first of the season, and came around to score on an RBI groundout by Gilles, putting NCU on the board. Later in the frame,
Kaitlyn Havens reached on an error and Riddle drew a walk, showing patience and persistence at the plate. Schroer handed the ball over to Gallardo for the fifth inning. The senior pitcher wasted no time getting settled, retiring three of six batters she faced and allowing just one unearned run while forcing soft contact throughout her outing. In the bottom of the fifth, the Rams looked to keep the rally alive.
Kelsey Henninger drew her second walk of the game, and Gallardo followed by reaching base on a free pass of her own. Prettyman nearly came through again with a fly ball to center, but the defense made a clean play to secure the final out. The Rams lost 17-1 as they would be swept 3-0 in the season series.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
NCU will travel to Wisconsin to face the UW-Superior (UWS) Yellowjackets on Friday, April 11th at 3:30 PM.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams
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