Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

CLAREMONT, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2023) - The North Central College softball team played the final two games of a rugged Spring Break schedule Friday, coming out on the short end of a pair of hard-fought contests with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges at Athena Field.

The Cardinals lost by a 5-4 count in the day's first game despite owning a 3-0 advantage after three innings. Hailey Morsovillo's single to center field in the top of the first scored two runs before Katie Del Re manufactured a run in the third. Del Re was hit by a pitch and stole second base, then advanced to third on Alyssa Sturino's sacrifice bunt before coming home on Talia Torosian's infield single.

The Athenas (8-3) put together a four-run rally in the home half of the third, sending all nine batters to the plate. CMS extended its advantage to 5-3 in the fourth after two straight extra-base hits. In the fifth, Del Re crossed the plate once again on an infield base hit by Torosian.

Morsovillo and Torosian both finished 2 for 3 at the plate while Sarah Lynch went 2 for 4 and Del Re scored three of the Cardinals' four runs. 

Friday's nightcap was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning, when the hosts scored twice on three singles and a pair of sacrifice bunts. The Athenas held on for a 2-0 victory, yielding just four hits. Del Re went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double.

The Cardinals (1-8) visit the Villa of Lisle/Benedictine University Sports Complex Tuesday for a double header against the Benedictine Eagles (7-3). Play is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Links to live video coverage and in-game statistics are available at northcentralcardinals.com or the North Central Cardinals app.

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information