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

Game one Box Score
Game two Box Score

Apr. 9, 2016 – Beginning their conference season strong, the North Central College softball team took two from Millikin University Saturday afternoon, claiming game one 7-6 before winning game two 5-3.

In the first game, both teams got on the board early, with the host Cardinals owning a 3-2 advantage after one. Millikin took the quick lead, scoring two runs on one hit and two Cardinal errors but North Central would take the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Samantha Anderson started the inning off with a walk as Jenna Trojniar kept up her offensive production and doubled shortly after. A batter later, Rachele Belletini delivered her first homerun of the season, a rocket sailing over the left-center field fence. North Central doubled their lead an inning later as Taylor Clugston led off with a triple and Sarah Esposito drove her in with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Cardinals (11-9, 2-0 CCIW) scored two runs in the fourth as Brooke Kehoe flew out of center field, scoring Clugston. Anderson singled right after to score Esposito and the Cardinals went into the fifth leading 6-2. An insurance run would be added in the sixth for the hosts which allowed them to hold onto their lead. The Big Blue threatened to put the game into extras as Alyssa Voegele doubled with the bases loaded to bring in three runs and pull within one of the Cardinals. North Central's defense stepped up to secure the victory as the Cardinals took game one.

Starr earned the win on the day, improving to 5-5 on the season and earned her 50^th career win as a Cardinal. Anderson and Starr ended game one going 2 for 3 from the plate while Belletini recorded three RBI's.

Game two would involve a stranger scenario for the Cardinals. The Cardinals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Amanda Walker doubled to score Trojniar and Anderson but would leave the bases loaded to end the inning. In the bottom of the first, Cardinal starter Jennifer Yager couldn't seem to find her groove as she walked five batters in a row which allowed the Big Blue to knot the score 2-2. Esposito would appear in relief and walked the first batter, giving Millikin a 3-2 lead. Esposito settled in for the next four innings, allowing no runs in the process.

Going into the fifth inning, the Cardinals actually had a two-pitcher no-hitter in tact until Amber Morgan hit a blooper falling in front of the Cardinal right fielder. North Central reclaimed their lead in the sixth as Clugston scored on a fielder's choice that the Millikin third baseman threw into right field. Belletini walked with the bases loaded two batters later and the Cardinals would lead 4-3 going into the bottom of the sixth. After a shut-down sixth by new pitcher Starr, she led the seventh off with her third homerun of the season, an absolute bomb over the left field fence. A three up, three down seventh allowed the Cardinals to take game two and sweep the visiting Big Blue (11-9, 0-2 CCIW).

With her two RBI's today, Amanda Walker is now tied for second on the all-time RBI list, recording 131 in her career. Esposito is now 5-2 on the season and Starr recorded her third save of the year, allowing only two hits over the final two innings pitched.

North Central returns to action Tuesday, Apr. 12 as they travel to take on No. 20 Trine University. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 pm (ET). Live stats can be found HERE.