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

Apr. 20, 2024 - Taking on a 2023 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) co-champion for the second straight day, the North Central College softball team took a big step forward in its bid to upset the CCIW pecking order Saturday, sweeping Millikin University, 3-0 and 3-2, at Shanower Family Field.

The Cardinals (22-6, 7-3 CCIW) sit in second place in the conference standings behind Illinois Wesleyan University, having split a pair of games with the Titans Friday. 

North Central took advantage of a pair of fielding errors to plate its first run in the first inning of the opener. Katie Del Re reached on an error, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Lynch, then came around to score when Hailey Morsovillo reached on another miscue. 

The Cardinals added two runs in the fifth, as Kayla Crabtree was hit by a pitch and Charlotte Toosley walked to open the inning. Toosley and pinch runner Bailey Miller moved over on a sacrifice by Del Re, and Lynch followed with an RBI single to score Miller before Talia Torosian reached on a fielder's choice to plate Toosley.

Juliana Maude pitched a complete-game shutout for the fourth time this season to improve to 10-2 on the campaign, establishing a season best in strikeouts for the second straight day by fanning 11 Millikin batters. Emma Friedlund went 2 for 3 with a double in Saturday's first game.

The second contest saw the Cardinals draw 15 walks from Millikin starting pitcher Kelsey Bruno, three of which came in the first inning before a wild pitch brought Del Re across the plate for the game's first run. The Big Blue (16-12, 4-4) leveled the score in the bottom half of the inning, then benefited from a passed ball with the bases loaded to take a 2-1 lead in the second.

Lauren Bowmar drew a two-out walk in the fifth, and Friedlund followed with a double down the left-field line to bring home pinch runner Ronnie Latka for a game-tying score. The go-ahead run came in the sixth, as Lynch, Torosian and Rachael Madsen were walked in succession and Bowmar then drew a free passes with the bases loaded. 

Millikin had runners in scoring position in each of the last two innings, but relief pitcher Sam Schilf closed out the comeback attempts and finished off a scoreless five-inning appearance to get the win (3-1). Schilf allowed two hits and no walks while striking out five.

The Cardinals return to action Tuesday, hosting Wheaton College (15-15, 4-6). Play is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options. 

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