The host Spartans (12-12) struck first in the opener, pushing across an unearned run in the bottom of the first before tacking on two more in the third inning to grab the 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals (12-12) got on the board in the top of the sixth with Colleen Drennan belting a two-out single to drive in Kayla Antle, who reached base on a single to right center field. North Central threatened again in the top of the seventh with Carly Trenhaile and Ashley Guest both belting singles to get on base before the Spartans' Natalie Zanella induced a groundout to end the game.

Vlasta Mangia (8-8) suffered the loss, allowing three runs and striking out one in six innings of action while Zanella picked up the win, tossing all seven innings and fanning five batters.

In game two, North Central grabbed an early lead in the top of the first as a Mary Caron sacrifice fly scored Antle, who led off the game with a base hit.

The Cardinals doubled their advantage in the third with a Mangia single up the middle bringing in Caron for the 2-0 lead.

Aurora broke up the shutout with a run in the bottom of the fourth before North Central responded in the fifth with Katie Crawford hitting an RBi single to left field, scoring Trenhaile who reached base on a leadoff single to center field.

The Spartans closed to within one run in the sixth with Stephanie Lynch belting a two out triple, later scoring on a passed ball.

Mangia finished three-for-four at the plate while Trenhaile finished game two with a pair of hits.

Mangia picked up the win, tossing all seven innings and striking out two while Ashley Kellenberger was saddled with the loss, yielding 11 hits and striking out five.

Mangia's victory in the circle was the 20th of her career, becoming just the 17th pitcher in the 37-year history of the program to win 20 games. The sophomore's career record currently stands at 20-15.

The Cardinals return to the diamond on Tuesday, traveling to Kenosha, Wis. to face Carthage College in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.