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

Apr. 2, 2023 - A hard-fought College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) double header resulted in a split for the North Central College softball team Sunday, as the Cardinals defeated Augustana College, 4-1, in the opener before a 3-2 setback in the nightcap.

The Cardinals (3-12, 1-3 CCIW) got a complete-game victory in the day's first game from pitcher Lauren Bowmar, who recorded her first collegiate victory by scattering eight hits and two walks while striking out four. North Central got on the board with its first home run of the season in the third inning, as Katie Del Re launched a solo shot over the left-center field fence. 

Emma Friedlund doubled North Central's lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning with a base hit which scored Talia Torosian. After the Vikings (9-9, 1-1 CCIW) scored on Morgan Bielfeldt's double in the sixth, the hosts responded with two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Friedlund singled to drive Torosian home once again before Charlotte Toosley's base hit through the left side brought Bowmar across the plate.

Del Re, Torosian and Friedlund each went 2 for 3 at the plate and Torosian and Sarah Lynch each recorded doubles. 

North Central jumped in front in the first inning of the second game after Del Re opened the game with a single. Alyssa Sturino hit a sharp line drive to center field which Viking center fielder Kennedy Williams dove forward trying to catch. The ball bounced and skipped away from Williams, enabling Sturino to round the bases and complete an inside-the-park home run.

Williams singled to drive home Augustana's first run of the game in the second inning, then tied the score at 2-2 in the fifth on Emily Gad's two-out single. The visitors scored the game-winning run in walkoff fashion in the seventh. With runners on first and second and two out, the Vikings' Ashlyn Mathers singled through the left side to bring Bielfeldt across.

Caroline Dooley pitched 6-1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits, while striking out two and walking three.

North Central hosts Carthage College (7-8, 2-0) Tuesday. The first game of the double header is set to begin at 3:00 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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