St. Paul, MN -- Saturday, North Central University (NCU) Softball wrapped up its Senior Day weekend series with a split doubleheader, earning a strong game one victory before battling through a challenging finale. The Rams were highlighted by a complete-game effort in the circle and timely hitting early in the day, showcasing resilience and flashes of offensive production to close out the 2026 campaign.
Game 1: NCU 3, MLC 1
North Central set the tone early behind graduate pitcher
Alley Fleener, who delivered a complete-game performance in the circle, going all seven innings while allowing just one run on six hits and working through traffic with composure. After a scoreless start, the Rams broke through in the fourth inning with a decisive three-run frame. Sophomore catcher/infielder
Kaitlyn Havens ignited the rally with a double, followed by junior pitcher/first baseman
Erica Gilles, who reached and later scored. Junior outfielder
Kianna Kidder delivered a clutch RBI bunt single to tie the game, before freshman infielder
Alyssa Leos came through with a two-RBI single to give the Rams full control. From there, Fleener shut the door, stranding runners and limiting extra-base damage while the defense backed her with key outs in the later innings. The Rams totaled four hits but made them count, capitalizing on their biggest scoring opportunity of the game.
Game 2: NCU 4, MLC 10
North Central jumped out early once again, highlighted by
Kaitlyn Havens' solo home run in the first inning to give the Rams an immediate spark. The Rams continued to apply pressure in the second inning as freshman catcher
Rhaina Boggess doubled and later scored, while freshman infielder
Bailey Bast drove in a run to extend the lead. Despite the early momentum, the game shifted in the middle innings. North Central continued to battle offensively, with Bast delivering a standout performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, including a two-run single in the sixth inning that trimmed the deficit. Boggess added another multi-hit effort, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Kidder also contributed a hit and a run. In the circle,
Erica Gilles started the contest and worked through four innings, while
Alley Fleener came in for relief and limited damage late, allowing just one unearned run over the final three innings. The Rams continued to put runners on base late, including a seventh-inning push with a single from freshman outfielder
Abi Rogers and a walk from Fleener, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Top Performers:
- Alley Fleener (Gr., P/IF): combined 10.0 IP, 1 ER, CG, W
- Bailey Bast (Fr., DP/1B/3B): combined 2-4, 3 RBI, BB
- Kaitlyn Havens (So., 3B/2B): combined 2-7, HR, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Looking Ahead:
Following this final UMAC series, the North Central University Softball team closes out its 2026 campaign. The Rams wrap up the year showing continued growth and resilience, highlighted by key performances and development across the roster as they build toward the future.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams
Instagram,
Facebook, and
Twitter (X) pages for updates on softball and all things NCU Athletics.
