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

Game one box score
Game two box score

April 18, 2017 – Tallying just eight hits in two games against the second-place team in the conference, the North Central College softball team was swept by College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) foe Carthage College, falling 6-1 in game one and dropping game two 3-0 Tuesday afternoon at Shanower Family Field.

The Cardinals would face two of the best pitchers in the conference, taking on CCIW strikeout leader Katie Herron in game one. It would take until the third for any scoring to start as Carthage's Emmily Zinkiewicz launched a homer over the left field fence to take a 2-0 lead. Dorian Pelsor would homer in the following inning, with a solo shot to left center and a sacrifice fly down the right field line would push across another run for the visitors, leading 4-0 after four innings. Carthage then once again pushed a run across in the fifth with a RBI triple to center field but the Cardinals would use an error from the Carthage second baseman to score Molly Price in the bottom half to avoid the shutout but it would not be enough as the Lady Reds tacked some insurance in the seventh and held on for a 6-1 victory.

Price, Taylor Clugston and Anna Seffernick would be the only Cardinals to record hits, each tallying one apiece.

Jennifer Yager (3-6) received the loss, allowing six earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Herron (9-2) received the win, allowing no earned runs in a complete game effort with five strikeouts and two walks.

Game two would not be much easier for the Cardinals as they faced conference ERA leader Amy Goldsmith. Goldsmith held a 1.00 ERA entering the day with a 10-1 record.

Carthage scored all their runs in the second inning, recording three runs on two hits and using a Cardinal error to their advantage. An RBI single, back-to-back hit by pitches, and an error by the pitcher would all result in runs for the Lady Reds, taking an early 3-0 lead.

North Central (13-15, 3-5 CCIW) would threaten in the fourth as two straight singles from Samantha Phelps and Price as well as a Seffernick walk would load the bases for the Cardinals with one out. Unfortunately, a fly out to the infield and a groundout to the third baseman would end the inning for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals would log only one hit the rest of the way, ending their game two total with five. The Lady Reds (22-8, 11-1) also finished with five hits on the day. Ellie Bernero led all hitters with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.

Jessica Weaver (6-6) allowed two earned runs in six innings on five hits, striking out five while walking two and hitting three. Goldsmith once again lowered her ERA with a shutout performance on five hits, three strikeouts and one walk.

North Central looks to get back on track Thursday, April 20 as they travel to Wheaton College. Game times are scheduled for 3 and 5 pm, live stats can be found HERE.