Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

NAPERVILLE, ILL. (Apr. 13th, 2021) - Beginning their eight-game homestand at Shanower Family Field, the North Central College softball team won game one of the doubleheader behind a complete-game shutout from Gianna Corban before falling in the second game on Tuesday afternoon.

Following a hitless first inning, Corban worked her way out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the Firebirds without a run in the second. In the third inning, Alyssa Cork doubled down the left field line to get the Cardinals bats started. Katie Del Re singled, but North Central was unable to score a run.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Jaime Smith and Talia Torosian each singled, bringing Breanna Adams to the plate. She belted an RBI double to score Smith. North Central continued the two-out rally as Emily Miller doubled to score Torosian and Adams, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. Miller later came around to score on a Cork walk as the North Central lead increased to four.

Carthage only recorded one more hit as the Cardinals earned their eighth win of the season, and second over the Firebirds.

In the nightcap, Amanda Martinez reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Andrea Richards to score and give North Central an early 1-0 advantage in the second inning. The Firebirds responded in the bottom half of the second with four runs of their own.

Adams singled to left field in the top of the third, before advancing to second on a Miller bunt single. Elena Stevenson used an RBI groundout to plate Adams, bringing North Central within two.

The Firebirds tacked on a run in the bottom of the third before adding five more in the fourth inning. Stevenson hit into a fielder's choice in the top of the fifth inning, allowing Torosian to score her lone run of the game. Carthage would end the game in the bottom half of the sixth inning, and win 11-3.

North Central hosts North Park on Thursday afternoon. The first pitch is set to begin at 3:00 PM at Shanower Family Field. You can find full in-game coverage links HERE.

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