Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Feb. 24, 2024) - Taking on Rhodes College for the first time in program history, the North Central College baseball team fell behind early and never recovered. The Cardinals lost 6-1 on Saturday afternoon at Stauffer Field in Memphis.
In the top of the first, Luke Lehnen hit a leadoff double to open the game, but the Cardinals were unable to take advantage as the Lynx retired the next three batters to strand Lenhen at second. In the bottom half of the inning, Rhodes used a hit by pitch and an RBI triple to take a 1-0 lead before tacking on a second run after an inning of play.
The Cardinals were held scoreless in their next two trips to the plate before the Lynx pushed another run across to extend their lead to three.
Rhodes posted another three-up, three-up half inning before threatening in the bottom half of the fifth. Back-to-back singles put runners on the corners. Elijah Hammond forced a double play up the middle to escape the jam and keep the score at 3-0.
Joe Hamilton belted a double off of the right center field fence to put himself in scoring position. Trey Roach worked deep into the count and earned a trip to first base on a hit by pitch. Dave Fitzpatrick loaded the bases with a walk and forced Rhodes to go to the bullpen. The Lynx forced a Cardinal strikeout to end the inning, keeping North Central off of the board.
Hammond pitched a scoreless sixth before allowing a run in the seventh to end his day. Sam Corbett relieved Hammond and worked out of the jam, giving up a run in the process.
After Lehnen singled, Roach traded places with him on a fielder's choice. He stole second base and advanced to third base on a Rhodes throwing error. Again, the Cardinals were unable to capitalize as Roach was stranded on third base. Rhodes tacked on another run in the eighth to take a 6-0 lead heading into the ninth inning.
Michael Davis drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by Kolby Fujii as a pinch runner. Vincent Merlo used a pinch hit triple to right field to score the Cardinals' first run of the game. The Lynx picked up the final two outs to secure a 6-1 victory.
Lehnen led the Cardinals with two hits while Merlo drove in the lone run of the game for North Central. Hammond suffered the loss by allowing five runs in his 6.1 innings pitched. He struck out five batters on the day.
The Cardinals wrap up their opening weekend by taking on Franklin College tomorrow morning. The two teams were set to square off a season ago, but that contest was canceled due to rain. This year's matchup is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Stauffer Field.
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.
