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

Mar. 28, 2023 - After absorbing a lopsided loss in the day's first game, the North Central College softball team staged a late rally in the nightcap to defeat Aurora University, 6-5, Tuesday at Shanower Family Field to secure a split in the Cardinals' first home games of 2023.

North Central was beaten, 12-0, in five innings in the opener as the Spartans (4-8) jumped out to a sizable advantage early. The hosts trailed, 3-1, before rallying to tie the score at 3-3 in the sixth inning. Allison Lambert's RBI groundout scored the Cardinals' opening run in the second inning, and Sarah Lynch recorded a sacrifice fly in the third and Hailey Morsovillo delivered another sacrifice fly in the sixth to level the score.

Five of the 11 runs scored in the second contest came in the seventh and final inning. Aurora scored twice in the top of the seventh to take the lead once again, though Lambert came through once again with a single to lead off the home half. Ally Sporleder reached on an error and Ronnie Latka singled to center field before Katie Del Re's bases-loaded groundout scored pinch runner Danielle Lambert to close the gap to 5-4.

Lynch drove a double to the gap in right-center field, scoring Sporleder and nearly ending the game before Latka was thrown out at home attempting to score the deciding run. With runners on second and third, Aurora pitcher Rylee Campbell opted to walk Alyssa Sturino to load the bases once more. On deck was Talia Torosian, who promptly drove another ball to right field, this time dropping in play to enable Lynch to score the winning run.

Caroline Dooley pitched all seven innings to earn the victory. Dooley has been the pitcher of record for both of the Cardinals' victories thus far.

North Central (2-9) opens College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play Saturday at Millikin University (11-7). The first game at Workman Family Field is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.

Links to live video coverage and in-game statistics are available at northcentralcardinals.com or the North Central Cardinals app.

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