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

WHEATON, Ill. (Apr. 6, 2023) - Persistence was rewarded for the North Central College softball team Thursday, as the Cardinals' offense found its rhythm late in the second game to secure a 6-1 victory and a split of two College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) against Wheaton College at Ruth Leedy Field.

North Central (6-13, 4-4 CCIW) struggled to get untracked in the opener, losing by an 8-1 count and getting its lone run on a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Sturino. Charlotte Toosley (2 for 3) and Katie Del Re (2 for 4) accounted for four of the Cardinals' five hits. 

In the second game, the Cardinals handed the ball to pitcher Sam Schilf. Starting a game for the second time this season, Schilf pitched all seven innings, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six, to earn the win. 

Trailing, 1-0, North Central leveled the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning. Emma Friedlund opened the inning with a double, and Toosley ripped a single down the right field line to score pinch runner Ronnie Latka. 

With the bases loaded and two out in the fifth, Toosley delivered another base hit to right field to bring home two more runs and push the visitors into the lead. The Cardinals scored a third run in the inning when Schilf's fly ball to center field was misplayed and Kayla Crabtree scored on the error.

Del Re walked to open the sixth, then scored on Sarah Lynch's double to left center. Talia Torosian's sacrifice fly brought Lynch home for the final run of the day. Lynch went 3 for 3 with two runs scored.

The Cardinals are idle until Tuesday, when they travel to face Elmhurst University (8-9, 1-1). First pitch at Salt Creek Park is set for 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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