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

Game one box score
Game two box score

Apr. 28, 2016 – The North Central College softball team was able to split their final home doubleheader against College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opponent Illinois Wesleyan University, winning an exhilarating game one in walk-off fashion 4-3 before falling 9-5 in game two Thursday afternoon at Shanower Family Field.

Illinois Wesleyan jumped out to an early lead in game one, scoring one run in each of the first two innings. The Titans held their 2-0 lead until extending it by one in the fifth. In the bottom of the sixth, North Central broke the shutout courtesy of a Jenna Trojniar solo homerun down the left field line. The Cardinals threatened to take the lead later in the inning with runners on first and second as Sarah Esposito launched a fly ball to left field, with looks of clearing the fence. The Titans left fielder was able to make an incredible play against the fence to end the inning but the Cardinals were able to cut the deficit 3-1.

North Central (17-15, 7-5 CCIW) would not be denied however, as they carried momentum into the seventh inning. Samantha Anderson was able to get on base with one out, followed by a Taylor Clugston single through the left side to advance Anderson to second. Rachele Belletini loaded the bases with a single to right field and a wild pitch in the next at-bat would allow Anderson to score. The bases would once again be loaded after Jenna Trojniar walked and after a Cardinal strikeout, Jenna Amazzalorso walked to tie the score at three.

Not many could have predicted how this one would end as Amanda Walker was faced with two outs and a 2-2 count. After a ball by Wesleyan pitcher Mackenzie Marquis, Walker thought ball-four was given and Belletini followed suit walking toward home. The Titans catcher finally realized the situation and chased Belletini back to third but muffed the throw, getting passed Wesleyan's third baseman. Belletini was able to sprint home and give North Central the exciting 4-3 victory.

Andrea Starr (10-10) earned the win for her complete game performance, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out one and walking zero.

Illinois Wesleyan (27-7, 11-4 CCIW) came out fighting in game two, putting up six runs in the first two innings. The Cardinals were able to cut the deficit in half as an Amazzalorso two-RBI double followed by a throwing error committed by the Titans third baseman a batter later gave the Cardinals three runs on the inning. Illinois Wesleyan took one back in the bottom half and held North Central scoreless the next two innings while adding another run in the fifth.

North Central cut into the lead again in the sixth, scoring two in the inning. Trojniar walked with the bases loaded to score Anderson followed shortly after by a Starr sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Clugston. The Titans were able to score one more in the bottom half and hold on to win 9-5, securing the outright CCIW conference title.

Amazzalorso finished the day with three RBI while Trojniar finished with two. Senior day honorees Starr and Walker each tallied one.

North Central concludes the regular season traveling to Augustana College on Saturday, Apr. 30, with game one beginning at 1 pm. Live stats can be found HERE.