Contact: Ashleigh Jones, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
Game one Box Score
Game two Box Score
April 20, 2018- The North Central College softball team recorded its first loss in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) after splitting its doubleheader against the Wheaton College Thunder, shutting the Thunder out 8-0 and then falling 3-4 on Thursday.
In game one the Cardinals overpowered Wheaton, outhitting the Thunder 11 to 4, which reflected significantly on the scoreboard and resulted in ending the game in just five innings.
After two scoreless innings North Central finally found its swing, tallying two runs in the bottom of the third. The first run recorded came from a single down the left line by Samantha Phelps, bringing in Emily Miller, which was quickly followed by the Cardinals' second run off an error by Wheaton's second baseman, giving the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
From there North Central raked in four more runs in the fourth inning, off of three hits and two Thunder errors. Along with the Cardinals consistent hitting throughout the final three innings, pitcher Sarah Esposito with the help of the infield efficiently stifled any chance of a comeback by Wheaton.
With a 6-0 lead at the bottom of the fifth, North Central would seal the win recording two more runs, despite a Thunder pitching change in efforts to stop the game ending eighth run .
Game two of the doubleheader played out drastically different from the first game. Unlike the first game, the Cardinals were able to score fast and early after the Thunder walked Miller, and Miller subsequently worked her way around the bases with each teammate at bat.
North Central's second run was scored by Samantha Gadomski after she too moved across the bases following a single up the middle by Rachele Belletini.
The Cardinals' offense would run cold, and by the bottom of the sixth with just 2-0 lead North Central found itself tied with Wheaton 2-2.
The Cardinals entered the top of the seventh determined to stop the possibility of extra innings, despite their efforts to stay ahead with a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh it just was not enough.
With just one out, and two players on base due to a costly error, Wheaton saw there opportunity to take the game as they reached the top of their batting order.
Unfortunately the Cardinals' nerves got the best of them and with back-to-back singles by the Thunder, the air was sucked out of the home crowd and North Central's 12 game win streak was snapped with a 3-4 loss to Wheaton.
The Cardinals (21-3, 7-1 CCIW) are back on Shanower Family Field for the third time this week for a nonconference doubleheader against Mount Mary University on Saturday, April 21 at 1 and 3 PM. For live in-game audio click HERE.
