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

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Mar. 9, 2024) - The North Central College softball team came away with a split of two games on its second day of competition at THE Spring Games Saturday, posting a 7-0 shutout of Plymouth State University (New Hampshire) before losing a 4-2 decision to Roger Williams University (Rhode Island) at the Fortune Road Athletic Complex.

Pitching all seven innings and earning a victory for the second straight day was Juliana Maude, who allowed Plymouth State just three hits and no walks while striking out eight. Saturday's first game was scoreless until the fifth inning. Sarah Lynch and Charlotte Toosley singled to put runners on first and third before Katie Del Re's bunt drove Lynch home to open a five-run inning for the Cardinals.

Gracie Vlach came through with a bunt single to load the bases before Talia Torosian drew a walk to score Toosley. Del Re crossed the plate on a wild pitch, Hailey Morsovillo's sacrifice fly scored Vlach and Torosian scored on an error.

Lynch also led off a two-run sixth inning for North Central (3-1), drawing a walk and advancing to second on Bailey Miller's base hit. Del Re grounded out to score Lynch and Vlach, who went 2 for 3 from the plate, followed with an RBI single to plate Miller.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning against Roger Williams. Toosley reached on an error and advanced to second on a Vlach single before scoring on a base hit by Del Re. Vlach and Del Re executed a double steal, and Vlach crossed the plate on Torosian's sacrifice fly. 

The Hawks (3-1) countered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, three of which came with two outs. North Central's comeback effort was limited to just one hit the rest of the way.

Vlach was a perfect 3 for 3 in the nightcap. Taylor Warren pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief of starter Sam Schilf, permitting two hits while striking out two. 

Competition continues at THE Spring Games Sunday as the Cardinals take on Ripon College (Wisconsin) at 9:15 a.m. Eastern time before a 1:45 p.m. matchup with the College of St. Scholastica (Minnesota). Live video coverage is available on a pay-per-view basis at www.flosoftball.com. 

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