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

Game one box score
Game two box score

EUREKA, Ill. (28 Mar. 2017) – Looking to continue their winning streak in their return from their spring trip, the North Central College softball team split a doubleheader with the Eureka College Red Devils, losing 5-1 in game one before erupting for a 10-1 blowout in game two at Eureka College softball field.

Despite outhitting their opponents in both games, the Cardinals found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-1 final, committing three errors in the game.

After two scoreless innings, North Central owned a brief lead in the third courtesy of an Anna Seffernick RBI-single. In the bottom half, Eureka used a RBI double and a two-run homer to take a 3-1 lead over the Cardinals. North Central could not get anything going the rest of the way, tallying three hits in the next three innings before the Red Devils extended their lead in the sixth for the decisive 5-1 defeat.

The Cardinals tallied eight hits to Eureka's five. Molly Price was the only Cardinal to record two hits in game one while Jessica Weaver moved to 4-3 on the season.
Game two would be the type of game that every player dreams of where the hitting becomes contagious while playing a clean defensive game. The Cardinals started with an early 1-0 lead as senior Brooke Kehoe singled down the left field line to score Taylor Clugston. In the second inning, Sarah Esposito started the hit barrage for North Central with single through the right side. After an error and a fielder's choice, Seffernick would double to right field, scoring Esposito and moving Clugston to third. Back-to-back RBI singles from Jenna Trojniar and Kehoe gave North Central a 4-1 lead with two outs in the inning. With Trojniar and Kehoe in scoring position, Samantha Phelps singled to score both runners but was thrown out trying to extend the play at second.

In the third, the Cardinals (8-6) added two runs to take a 9-1 lead as Price laced and RBI single to left field and Seffernick would continue her impressive day with a single to score Price and Esposito two batters later. For good measure, an RBI double down the left field line from Clugston would cap the Cardinals day with ten runs. Eureka would show some life as a leadoff homer would break North Central's shutout hopes but the Cardinals would still short game the host Red Devils in five innings.

Seffernick would lead all batters with four RBI on the day, including a 3-for-6 effort at the plate. Phelps would finish 3-for-6 with two RBI while Price finished 3-for-5 with an RBI. Kehoe added two RBI while Clugston and Trojniar each tallied one. Clugston would add a stolen base on the day in game two.

Esposito (3-1) would earn the win for the Cardinals after allowing one run on four hits in five innings pitched, walking three and striking out two.

Due to a scheduling change, North Central travels to Concordia University Chicago on Wednesday, March 29 with game times at 3 and 5 pm. Live stats and audio can be found HERE.