Contact: Ashleigh Jones, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
Game one Box Score
Game two Box Score
April 12, 2018- With the sun shining and a light breeze moving through the stands the North Central College softball team soared past Elmhurst College at Shanower Family Field, defeating the Bluejays 10-6 in the first game and then shutting them out 9-0 in the second.
Improving their win streak to nine, the Cardinals pulled off a hitting masterpiece in the first game of the doubleheader after falling behind twice and going through three pitchers.
In game one of the doubleheader, Elmhurst and North Central traded runs, starting the top of the fourth tied 2-2. With the Cardinals third pitcher in the circle, Samantha Gadomski would shut down the Bluejays three-run rally off a groundout allowing North Central a chance to claw back.
And claw back they did, down 5-2, the Cardinals would answer with a rally of their own, batting around in the bottom of the fourth leading to six runs off of five hits, securing an 8-5 lead.
North Central would continue their hitting streak into the bottom of the fifth extending their lead to five.
With three innings remaining the Cardinals' sound defensive stops would only allow the Bluejays one more run in the top of the sixth.
In the top of the seventh North Central crushed all chances of a comeback thanks to three quick outs by the infield, ending the game 10-6.
In game two of the doubleheader, pitcher Jennifer Yager put on an outstanding performance, finishing with a complete game shutout, only allowing three hits and extending her win streak to a perfect 8-0.
With two outs and runners on first and third, following a stolen base by Taylor Clugston, Rachele Belletini found the gap in the Bluejays center field and doubled, bringing in the Cardinals first run of game two.
Despite not scoring in the second inning the Cardinals would continue to connect, batting in six more runs across three innings, giving them a 7-0 advantage in the bottom of the fifth.
Though Elmhurst did find themselves on base in the fifth and sixth inning, North Central's hitting put them in a tight spot. Down 9-0 after a double to right field by Emily Miller and a sacrifice fly by Lisa Harrington brought in the final two runs of the night.
Along with Yager's impressive finish, Miller earned her 20th double of the season, propelling her past the former double single-season record of 19 doubles held by Brandy Valentine '93.
The Cardinals (18-2, 4-0 CCIW) take on #16 Illinois Wesleyan University at home on Saturday, April 14 in its third CCIW matchup. Game times are set for 1 PM & 3 PM. For live audio coverage of the game click HERE.
