FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Box Score

GREENCASTLE, Ind. (May 15, 2010)-- The fourth-seeded North Central College softball team was unable to extend its stay at the double-elimination NCAA Division III Championships on Saturday, suffering a 5-0 setback against third-seeded Washington University of Saint Louis at DePauw Tiger Field.

The 17th-ranked Bears (36-10) tallied single runs in each of the game's first three innings, jumping out to the early 3-0 edge. Ashley Janssen singled up the middle to score Megan Fieser to open up the game's scoring in the first while Ally Berenter belted a solo home run in the second inning. Janssen tallied her second RBI of the game in the the third with a solo home run shot for the three run lead.

Wash U. pushed its advantage to 5-0 in the sixth inning with a pair of unearned runs. Pinch-runner Kathy Peter scored on a Cardinal throwing error while Rebecca Salisbury scored on a ground out for the game's final score.

Lyndsey Payne (13-5) absorbed the loss, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out five in six innings of work. Wash U's Claire Voris (20-6) earns the victory, allowing just three hits and striking out three in the complete game effort.

North Central (32-14) opened up the double-elimination tournament on Thursday with an 8-6 victory over Trine University (Ind.) before falling 4-3 to top-seeded Ohio Northern University on Friday. It is the Cardinals' ninth NCAA Tournament appearance as the squad is 13-20 all-time in NCAA play.

The 2010 season saw North Central record its 18th-consecutive 20-win season while head coach Jim Kulawiak became just the 10th active coach in NCAA Division III to eclipse the 600-career win plateau after defeating Monmouth College (Ill.) on April 17.