FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tyler Friel, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

RIVER FOREST, Ill. (Mar. 31, 2016) – Taking part in separate offensive and defensive games, the North Central College softball team split their doubleheader with Concordia University Chicago, losing 1-0 before taking game two by a score of 8-7.

Game one featured a stellar pitchers dual, with both starters giving up a combined eight hits. The host Cougars would strike first as the second batter for Concordia doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. One batter later, a passed ball allowed Concordia to get on the board first. Things stayed quiet for most of the game until the Cardinals threatened in the fifth. Rachele Belletini led off with a single and Jenna Amazzalorso followed with a double. Belletini tried to score on the hit but would be thrown out at home to keep the Cougars lead intact. North Central also put runners on second and third in the seventh but could put together enough hits and dropped the first game 1-0.

Amazzalorso led the Cardinals offensively, going 2 for 3 with a double and a single. Andrea Starr would unfortunately be on the wrong end of game, taking the loss despite allowing only three hits while striking out five.

In game two the offensive production would take over for both teams, with Concordia taking an early 4-0 lead in the first off of four hits, including a three RBI homerun. North Central (8-8) would respond in the next half inning as they scored seven runs to take a 7-4 lead. With the bases loaded, Sarah Esposito singled to center to score Amazzalorso. Shortly after, Taylor Clugston singled to score Samantha Anderson followed by a Jenna Trojniar hit by pitch that allowed Brooke Kehoe to come across. Two batters later, Amanda Walker stepped up and delivered her second homerun of the season, a grand slam scoring Esposito, Clugston, and Trojniar.

It did not take long for the Cougars (11-2) to retaliate as another three RBI homer took place in the second, knotting the score 7-7. North Central took advantage of an error by the Cougars in the sixth, allowing Amanda Cooper to be the game-winning run.

Starr (4-5) would come in relief to throw the final 2.1 innings, earning the win in the process.

North Central returns to action Saturday, Apr. 2 for their home opener hosting University of Wisconsin Whitewater with game one of the doubleheader starting at 1 pm.