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Box Score

PELLA, Iowa (May 11, 2014) – After an almost four hour rain delay, the North Central College softball team clinched their third NCAA Division III Softball Regional Championship after defeating the Luther College Norse, 6-2 on Sunday in Pella, Iowa. The Cardinals move on to Super Regionals next weekend with location and opponent to be determined.
 
"It feels tremendous," said head coach Jim Kulawiak. "The last couple weeks we really struggled and we came in this tournament and I thought we did a very good job. These were some real quality teams so it's a tremendous feeling."
 
The Cardinals (32-11) were seeking revenge after being knocked out of regionals last season in two games by the Norse (32-8). Luckily, they were able to push ahead 4-0 right away with an early jump at the plate.
                                                                  
In the first, Kiersten Tinkoff walked and Cecie Portillo got on base after being hit by a pitch. Andrea Starr took this opportunity to send one straight up the middle for two runs, putting North Central on the board first.
 
In the second, Jordyn Beck singled to right field to get it started for the team. North Central had the bases loaded, but was only able to sneak in one on a wild pitch getting them up, 3-0.
 
When the teams took the field after being postponed, Luther scored in two runs in the bottom of the fourth off of four singles.
 
But that wouldn't be enough for the Norse as the Cardinals tacked on another pair in the top of the sixth. Kayla Antle had a well placed bunt that got her on first. Tinkoff singled up the middle moving Antle around then Amanda Walker took a shot to left center for a single that pushed in Antle to home. Starr had another solid hit to left center for a double that scored in pinch runner Jordan Johnson making it 6-2.
 
"When you come out of delays you never really know what's going to happen," said Kulawiak. "But the team was very focused."
 
Defensively, the Cardinals gave up no errors this weekend. They remained consistent on the field getting out of sticky situations.
 
"They've been solid through the whole weekend," said Kulawiak. "We've had people from the outside compliment how well they played defensively."
 
Starr (16-5) pitched all three matches this tournament going 3-0. She remained strong on the mound only allowing four runs in the three games. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Division III Pella Regional Softball Tournament.
 
"She did a great job," said Kulawiak. "She stayed focused. She stayed poised."
 
North Central also had three members making it on the All-Tournament Team which included Tinkoff, Antle and Beck.
 
The Cardinals ended the weekend overall beating the Central College Dutch 5-0, the Washington-St. Louis Bears 3-2 and the Luther College Norse 6-2 to advance to Super Regionals. North Central's last regional championship was in 2001.
 
Super Regionals will be conducted May 16-17 as North Central hopes to push forth onto Nationals.