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

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

AURORA, Ill. (Apr. 7, 2016) – With frigid temperatures thwarting offensive output, the North Central College softball team was a part of two pitchers duals, falling 1-0 to Aurora University before claiming the victory in game two 2-0.

In game one, the Spartans scored in their first at-bats with three of their first four batters reaching base. That would be the only lead Aurora would need as the Cardinals could only put together three total hits with Taylor Clugston singling in the fifth and Andrea Starr logging two singles on the day.  In the fifth, the Cardinals threatened with Clugston having advanced to third but could not push the run across to tie the score, as they dropped game one of the doubleheader. Starr would be on the losing end of a pitchers dual, allowing six hits and one earned run over six innings pitched while striking out two.

The pitching dual would continue in game two as Jennifer Yager would dominate the Spartans, throwing a three hit shutout to secure the victory. The Aurora starter would match Yager for five innings and change before being pulled at the end of the fifth. The Cardinals took advantage of the pitching change in the seventh as Brooke Kehoe drew a two out walk and Sarah Esposito delivered a single down the right field line to advance Kehoe to third. A batter later, Samantha Anderson singled to center to drive in Kehoe and Jenna Trojniar doubled shortly after to score Esposito. North Central (9-9) took a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh and Yager continued her success, shutting the door on the Spartans and earning her first win of the season. Yager struck out three in the contest while walking one.

North Central returns to action on Saturday, Apr. 9 against Millikin University for their home opener. Game one is slated to begin at 1 pm.