Maple Grove, MN -- This afternoon, the baseball team from North Central University (NCU) hosted their first home games of the year against the Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) Sabercats. In the previous meeting between these two teams, the Rams defeated the Sabercats in both meetings of the 2024 season. Today, NCU would take home their first wins of the season as they defeated MBU again in today's doubleheader, winning 15-2 and 17-2. The Rams posted a season-high 33 hits and 32 runs on the day. 

Game 1: NCU 15, MBU 2

North Central opened the day with an offensive barrage, plating 15 runs on 17 hits in a 15-2 rout. After scoring one in the first, the Rams cracked things open with a five-run third inning, highlighted by Caleb Alfaro's towering grand slam down the right-field line. Alfaro finished 2-3 with 6 RBIs and added a double and a sacrifice fly on a career day at the plate. Teagan Burch was another force offensively, going 3-4 with a double, a triple, and 2 RBIs while Nolan Taylor delivered a perfect 3-3 performance, scoring three times and swiping two bases. On the mound, Cardiff Smith earned the win with four solid innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits and striking out two. Relievers Tim Dixon and Jacob Garcia closed the door, allowing just one run over the final three innings. Defensively, North Central turned two double plays and showed strong execution with several pick-offs, keeping the opposing lineup off balance throughout, and finalizing the score of the first game at 15-2.

Game 2: NCU 17, MBU 2

If game one was impressive, game two was a full-on offensive statement. North Central posted its highest scoring output of the season, piling on nine runs in the 6th to turn a steady lead into a runaway 17-2 win. Jonah Taylor led the charge at the top of the lineup, going 3-5 with 3 RBIs, 2 doubles, and 4 stolen bases. Taylor also scored three times, constantly applying pressure on the basepaths. Teagan Burch continued his tear with 2 hits, 3 runs, and 3 RBIs, including a key two-run single in the first inning. Dawson Barson matched him with a 2-4 effort, also driving in three and scoring three times. On the bump, Caleb Alfaro doubled as the starter, tossing five innings of one-run ball to earn his first win of the season. The bullpen duo of Brian Dahlstrand and Cameron Pittman preserved the comfortable lead, allowing just one more run combined. North Central stole eight bases in total and benefited from a flurry of errors from their opponents, turning extra opportunities into crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Rams won 17-2 over the Sabercats. 

Top Performers:

• Jonah Taylor (Jr., CF): 6-8 (.750), 6 R, 4 RBI, 2 2B, 6 SB, SAC, BB
• Caleb Alfaro (So., LF/RHP): 4-7 (.571), 7 RBI, 3 R, HR (grand slam), 2 2B, 2 BB, SB, SAC | 5.0 IP, W, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB
• Teagan Burch (Sr., C): 5-7 (.714), 5 RBI, 5 R, 3B, 2B, 2 SB, BB, HBP

Looking Ahead:

Coming up, NCU will host a series against the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS) Yellowjackets. The series doubleheader kicks off on Saturday, April 12h at 1:00 and 4:00 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.