Menomonie, WI -- Tuesday, North Central University (NCU) Baseball traveled to Wisconsin for a non-conference doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UWS) Blue Devils. With two 7-inning games ahead, the Rams looked to take on a tough and poised WIAC opponent. The Rams went toe-to-toe with the Blue Devils, but fell in both contests by scores of 13-5 and 3-2. NCU showed flashes offensively throughout the day, including multiple home runs in game one and a late-game push in game two that nearly completed a comeback.

Game 1: North Central 5, UW-Stout 13

North Central came out aggressively in the opener, striking first in the top of the first inning. Senior designated hitter Juan Rodriguez launched a two-run home run to give the Rams an early 2-0 lead. The early momentum continued as NCU worked quality at-bats, drawing 10 walks as a team and consistently putting pressure on the defense. The Rams added another run in the fifth inning when freshman first baseman Darrion Wesley crushed a solo home run to right field, marking his first of many as a Ram. North Central continued to battle in the sixth, loading the bases before senior infielder Dawson Barson worked an RBI walk, and Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 5-9. Sophomore outfielder John Patty contributed a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 at the plate, while sophomore infielder Abiram Terron De Jesus added a double as part of a six-hit team effort. On the mound, sophomore LHP Brian Dahlstrand started the game, striking out five batters across three innings, while freshman RHP Ivan Demel and graduate RHP Cardiff Smith provided relief innings. Despite the strong offensive flashes, a pair of big innings in the middle frames proved difficult to overcome as the Rams dropped game one.

Game 2: North Central 2, UW-Stout 3

The second game of the doubleheader turned into a tightly contested pitching duel, with the Rams holding the lead late into the game. North Central struck early once again in the first inning. After drawing multiple walks, infielder Abiram Terron De Jesus drove in the opening run with an RBI groundout to give NCU a 1-0 advantage. The Rams maintained strong discipline at the plate, tallying six walks and working deep counts throughout the game. In the sixth inning, Terron De Jesus delivered again, this time launching a solo home run to left field to extend the lead to 2-0. Sophomore RHP Justin Hostetler started on the mound and delivered two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Freshman RHP Darrion Wesley followed with a strong outing, striking out five batters across 4.1 innings while allowing just three runs. Offensively, sophomore infielder Jayden Mersereau recorded a double and a stolen base, while freshman catcher Aaron Alvarado added a hit and reached base multiple times. North Central carried a 2-1 lead into the final inning before the opposition rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Despite the Rams limiting damage for most of the game, a pair of late runs allowed the Blue Devils to walk off the contest.

Top Performers:

• Abiram Terron De Jesus (So., 3B/1B): combined 2-6, 2 RBI, R, HR, 2B, BB
• Juan Rodriguez (Sr., IF): combined 1-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, HR, SF, 4 BB
• Darrion Wesley (Fr., 1B/RHP): Game 1: 1-3, RBI, HR, R, BB | Game 2: 4.1 IP, 5 SO

Looking Ahead:

Up next, the Rams travel to Morris, Minnesota, for another UMAC series versus the Minnesota Morris Cougars. Game one of the series is set for Friday, April 3rd, with first pitch set for 3:00 PM at Chizek Field in Morris, MN.

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