Mankato, MN -- Saturday, North Central University (NCU) Baseball returned to Gleason Field for their "Senior Day" doubleheader versus the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings. Today, we honored seniors
Dawson Barson,
Juan Rodriguez,
Cardiff Smith,
Tim Yohan Dixon, and former player/current assistant coach
Nic Sheley. In today's doubleheader action, the Rams showed early offensive spark and competitive stretches in both games, but ultimately fell in both contests, 16-7 and 14-2.
Game 1: NCU 7, BLC 16
North Central came out swinging early despite a first-inning deficit, responding in the bottom of the second inning behind Sophomore infielder
Abiram Terron De Jesus and freshman catcher
Aaron Alvarado, who each singled to set up an RBI knock from freshman infielder
Anthony Barajas. Barajas delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to one. The Rams seized momentum in the third inning, capitalizing on traffic on the bases. After being hit by a pitch, senior shortstop
Dawson Barson came around to score during a chaotic sequence, before freshman infielder/outfielder
Jack Meckler delivered a clutch two-RBI single to right-center to give NCU a 5-3 lead. North Central held the lead through four innings, with freshman infielder
Darrion Wesley and the defense limiting damage early. However, a five-run fifth inning shifted momentum, aided by defensive miscues that allowed multiple unearned runs. Despite the setback, the Rams continued to battle late. Terron De Jesus collected a double in the eighth, and Meckler added another RBI on a groundout. Freshman outfielder
Keo Coleman showcased his speed on the bases, swiping two bags and later scoring in the ninth inning. North Central totaled six hits and forced three defensive errors, with Terron De Jesus leading the offense with a 2-for-3 performance and three runs scored. Barajas and Meckler combined for five RBI in the game.
Game 2: NCU 2, BLC 14
The Rams wasted no time getting on the board in game two, executing a strong first inning. Barson led off with a single, followed by another base hit from senior first baseman
Juan Rodriguez.
Abiram Terron De Jesus drove in the opening run with an RBI single, and
Jack Meckler added a sacrifice fly to give NCU a 2-0 lead. On the mound, freshman RHP
Darrion Wesley turned in one of his strongest outings of the season, tossing seven innings while allowing just three earned runs and striking out five. He kept the Rams in front through the early and middle innings, navigating key situations and limiting scoring opportunities. Defensively and on the basepaths, freshman outfielder
Dante Wade provided a spark, finishing 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and consistently putting pressure on the defense. After the early lead, the Rams were locked in a tight 3-2 contest through seven innings. However, a big eighth inning from Bethany Lutheran shifted control, followed by additional late runs in the ninth. North Central finished with five hits in the game, with contributions from Barson, Rodriguez, Terron De Jesus, and Wade. The Rams played clean defensively with no errors and showed strong execution early, particularly in situational hitting.
Top Performers:
- Abiram Terron De Jesus (So., 3B): Combined 3-7, 2B, 3 R, RBI, 2B
- Jack Meckler (Fr., RF): Combined 2-7, 4 RBI, SF
- Dante Wade (Fr., LF): Game 2: 2-3, 2 SB
- Darrion Wesley (Fr., 1B/RHP): Game 2: 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 K
Looking Ahead:
Up next, the Rams take on Augsburg University in a non-conference doubleheader in downtown Minneapolis. The games are slated for 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.
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