Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Apr. 28, 2022 - Looking to climb the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) standings in their last conference match-up, the North Central College softball team split with Illinois Wesleyan taking game one 5-1 before falling in game two 3-4.

With three uneventful innings to start game one, the Cardinals found their opportunity to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Talia Torosian hit an RBI-double to score Breanna Adams from second. 

The Cardinals extended their lead in the fifth inning raking in four hits and four RBIs. With two runners on the corners, Sarah Lynch hit an RBI double to left-center to bring Andrea Richards across the plate. Game one's highlight came from Adams with a three-run home run to put the Cardinals up 5-0 heading into the sixth inning. 

The Titans found their only opportunity to score in the sixth inning as Jen Kuhn reached on a Cardinal error before Madison Moore singled to center field bringing the score to 5-1.

Adams led North Central with three RBIs while Lynch and Torosian each had two. Seven batters in the Cardinals' starting lineup recorded hits on the day. 

With Gianna Corban in the circle, the Titans were limited to three hits and one run as she extended her win-loss record to 13-2 and her 10 strikeouts in game one inched her closer to the top of the record books. 

Game two started much like the first with three short innings before the Cardinals picked up the lead in the fourth inning on three hits highlighted by Allison Lambert's RBI single to score Jaime Smith from second. Illinois Wesleyan tied the score with a solo home run by Colleen Palczynski. 

With runners on second and third, the Cardinals intentionally walked Palczynski in the sixth inning. A single through the left side with bases loaded scored two to give Illinois Wesleyan the 3-1 lead heading into the seventh inning.

A walk for Katie Del Re and a pair of singles by Andrea Richards and Sarah Lynch had the bases loaded with Smith up to bat who has consistently led the team in RBIs and hits. Smith's single to right field was just enough for two RBIs to tie the score back up at 3-3. 

The Titans secured three hits and a single run in the seventh inning to finish ahead of the Cardinals 4-3.

Smith led the Cardinals in game two with two RBIs while A. Lambert had one of her own. Corban pitched a total of 5.2 innings in game two recording three strikeouts, five hits, and three runs. Adams pitched half of the sixth inning allowing only one hit and one run. 

After today's split, the CCIW standings remain with Millikin at the No. 1 spot, Illinois Wesleyan at No. 2 and North Central at No. 3. Regular season conference play will continue through Monday with the CCIW Tournament set to begin on Thursday, May 5.

North Central hosts local foe, Aurora University for a single non-conference game on Tuesday, May 3 for Senior Day. Following senior recognition, the first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m at Shanower Family Field.

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