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

Game one box score
Game two box score

CHICAGO, Ill (Apr. 16, 2016) – The North Central College softball team was able to split their non-conference doubleheader against the University of Chicago Maroons as they took game one 9-5 in eight innings but could not pull out the win in game two, falling 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Stagg Field.

In their first extra inning game this season, the Cardinals were able to keep their composure despite giving up late runs and record the victory. North Central (14-10) got on the board in the fourth as Jenna Amazzalorso doubled to left field to score Andrea Starr, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals would put up four in the sixth as Sarah Esposito started the scoring with a RBI single to left field. Samantha Anderson then singled to bring in one run followed by a Jenna Trojniar two-RBI single to right field to bring the score 5-0 in favor of the Cardinals.

The Maroons (16-5) would answer in the bottom half of the inning as a bases loaded fielder's choice would score one for Chicago. With bases still loaded and two outs, Chicago batter Maeve Garvey hit a grand slam over the left field fence to allow Chicago to tie the score at five. After a shut-down seventh by both teams the Cardinals took the lead in the eighth as Amanda Walker delivered her fourth home run of the year, a grand slam to left field to give North Central a 9-5 lead. The four run lead was plenty for Starr to close the game and earn the win for her complete game effort.

Starr allowed no earned runs in the game while striking out three and walking two. Walker and Anderson ended the game with two hits each while Walker led North Central with four RBI's.
In game two, a pitching dual between Jennifer Yager and Chicago's Molly Moran would go six innings until the Cardinals scored one in the top of the seventh on a passed ball by the Maroons, allowing Rachele Belletini to score. Chicago led off the bottom half with a double, followed by another double two batters later to tie the score at 1. Chicago then singled up the middle to allow the run to score and give Chicago the 2-1 victory.

The Cardinals were only able to scratch out four hits and one run in the game but would strike out ten times. Yager (1-2) would receive the loss despite allowing eight hits while striking out two and walking only one.

Walker is now one RBI behind the North Central all-time RBI leader at 137.

The Cardinals return to action traveling to Carthage College on Tuesday, Apr. 19 with game one scheduled for 3 pm. Live stats can be found HERE.