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UMass Dartmouth Box Score

UW-Superior Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 19, 2013) - The North Central College softball team earned victories over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the University of Wisconsin-Superior at the Gene Cusic Classic to increase their winning streak to eight games to start the 2013 season. 

The Cardinals (8-0) continued to ride stellar pitching performances on their hot streak.  Andrea Starr chucked a complete game against UMass Dartmouth, and gave up just earned run and three hits for her fourth victory.  With her performance, Starr lowered her ERA to 1.88 in four starts. 

The offense exploded for four runs in the top of the third inning, and took advantage of two Corsair errors.  Taylor Ryan and Kayla Antle both reached base with one out because of defensive miscues, setting the stage for Vlasta Mangia's two-run double.  Then, Mangia stole third and Amanda Walker walked.  Walker stole second and Jordyn Beck knocked in both runners with a two-out single to end the scoring in the inning. 

The Corsairs managed their only run in the bottom of the inning, but the Cardinals answered in the fourth to make the score 5-1.  Antle singled and scored on another Mangia RBI double. 

With Starr cruising in the circle, the North Central offense provided even more run support in the sixth.  Ryan and Walker drove in three more runs to give the Cardinals a commanding 8-1 advantage. 

Mangia was a perfect 4-for-4 against the Corsairs and Ryan, Antle, and Beck each collected two hits. 

Mangia (4-0) dazzled against UW-Superior in her fourth start of the season, tossing a complete game shutout and yielding just two Yellow Jacket hits, none of which came after the second inning.  Mangia sent Superior down in order for the final three innings. She has now thrown 31 straight innings to begin the season without allowing an earned run.     

The Cardinals gave Mangia all the breathing room she would need in the second inning.  Four straight hits to start the inning, including a two-run double by Starr and an RBI single by Carly Trenhaile gave North Central a 3-0 advantage.  After Jordan Johnson struck out, Cecie Portillo hit a sacrifice fly to center field for the final run of the inning. 

Starr left no doubt when she knocked in two more runs in the fifth on a single to left field, her third hit of the game.    

The Cardinals attempt to finish the Gene Cusic Classic undefeated tomorrow when they play Nichols College at 11:00 a.m. (ET) and University of New England at 1:00 p.m. (ET)