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Contact: Kim Ippolito, Graduate Assistant to Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

April 1, 2014 – The North Central College softball team faced the Beloit College Buccaneers on Tuesday in their home opener double header. The Cardinals (14-2) used their bats against the Buccaneers (3-12) to get four home runs within the two games as they defeated Beloit 8-2 and 11-3.

In game one, Beloit acted first as they scored one run in the second inning from a double to right field.  North Central was quick to respond with a run in the second with an RBI from Bri Kiel. Starter Vlasta Mangia kept the Buccaneer's offense down to a minimum, allowing them only two runs.

The Cardinals exploded offensively in the third and fourth innings adding three runs in each.  To kick it off in the third, Mangia singled for an RBI followed by RBIs from Jordan Johnson and Bri Floyd. In the fourth, Mangia began the Cardinals home run spree with drilling her home run to right center, sailing far beyond the fence and adding in two more runs.

North Central received their final run in the fifth inning with a double from Amanda Walker who scored in Cecie Portillo. Mangia wrapped up the game with seven strikeouts and only one walk to get the win 8-2.

In game two, the Cardinals came out fierce in the first inning by getting in three runs including Mangia's second home run of the day. In the second, Kayla Antle added herself to the home run chart as she shot one over the fence in left center and pushed the lead up 5-1.

Beloit tried lowering their deficit in the fifth inning by getting in two runs off a double and single. But it wasn't enough to stop the Cardinals as they shut down the game in the bottom of the fifth with the third home run of the game coming off the bat of Kiel.

Kiel then held Beloit off the bases pitching, allowing only six hits to ensure the Cardinals took the 11-3 victory.

North Central has their next double header on Thursday at home in their first conference matchup of the season against Illinois Wesleyan University. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. at Shanower Family Field.