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

Apr. 23, 2024 - Keeping its opposition off the scoreboard for nearly two full games Tuesday, the North Central College softball team came tantalizingly close to completing a sweep of Wheaton College before the Thunder staged the latest rally possible to preserve a split.

The Cardinals dictated terms throughout a 7-0 victory in the first game at Shanower Family Field and held a 1-0 advantage in the seventh inning, but Wheaton plated a run to extend the contest before prevailing, 2-1, in nine innings.

North Central (23-7, 8-4 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) opened the scoring in the first inning of the opener, as Sarah Lynch singled, stole second base and scored on Rachael Madsen's base hit. After the teams waited out a 38-minute lightning delay, the Cardinals doubled their lead to 2-0 on a solo home run by Talia Torosian in the third.

The hosts broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning. Torosian was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Madsen's single up the middle brought home two runs, and a run-scoring groundout by Emma Friedlund extended the lead to 6-0. A final run was scored in the seventh as Carley Creeth led off with a double and crossed the plate on a groundout by Charlotte Toosley.

Juliana Maude posted a complete-game shutout for the fifth time this season, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out four. Now 11-2 on the season, Maude has gone 5-1 in seven starts against CCIW opposition.

Tuesday's second game got a jolt from Lauren Bowmar in the second inning, as the sophomore ripped a solo home run to center field to spot the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead. Bowmar's homer stood as the game's only run as the end of regulation play neared.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Wheaton (16-16, 5-7 CCIW) pinch hitter Victoria Barbar reached on a single and pinch runner Mia Reinhard advanced to second on a groundout. With two away, a North Central fielding error enabled Reinhard to come around to score, extending the game into extra innings.

With two down in the ninth, the Thunder's Liz Meyer reached on an infield single before scoring on Madison Forberg's double to right field. 

North Central pitcher Sam Schilf was assigned the loss (3-2) despite allowing just one earned run and striking out six batters while walking none in 8-2/3 innings. Wheaton's winning run is the first earned run Schilf has allowed in conference play this season.

The Cardinals host Elmhurst University (10-20, 1-9) Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Senior Day activities will be conducted prior to game time. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options. 

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