Contact: Sam Fretto, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

Mar. 22, 2025 - In the final non-conference tune up before the start of the conference schedule, the North Central College softball team swept the Trinity Christian College Trolls in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader at Shanower Family Field.

Two big innings secured North Central's game one victory, 9-1.

Kayla Crabtree singled to lead off the second inning and Sydney Nienhouse took first base as her pinch runner. After a popout, Lauren Bowmar reached first on a fielding error and Nienhouse advanced to third.

Ronnie Latka doubled to right, driving in Nienhouse and advancing Bowmar to third. Rachael Madsen singled, driving home Bowmar and Latka, and a fielding error sent Madsen to second.
Madsen advanced to third on a single by Gracie Vlach. The Cardinals closed out the scoring in the second inning when Vlach stole second and Madsen stole home.

Trinity Christian tallied their lone run of the game in the top of the third when Halie LaGran singled to drive home Anna Lisa.

Both teams were scoreless in the fourth inning, but the Cardinals seized control with a five-run fifth.

Carley Creeth was the catalyst with a one-out double and Crabtree drove her home with a double of her own.

Caroline Dooley pinch hit for Sarah Lynch and reached base on a fielding error. Crabtree advanced to third. Bowmar reached on an error, which advanced Dooley to second and scored Crabtree.
Latka's second extra base hit, a triple, cleared the bases, and Madsen doubled to right, scoring Latka.

Latka led the Cardinals with three RBIs. Sam Schilf went 5.1 innings to record the win. She struck out three, walked two, gave up six hits, and allowed one earned run. Schilf's record improved to 4-5 for the season.

In the nightcap, the Cardinals entered the sixth inning trailing 1-0. Gracie Vlach singled and advanced to second on a Talia Torosian base hit. During Hailey Morsovillo's at bat, both runners advanced a base on a passed ball. Morsovillo flew out to center field, and Vlach scored to tie the game. Creeth singled up the middle, advancing Torosian to third. Crabtree recorded the game winning RBI when she grounded out to the shortstop, which allowed Torosian to score.

Juliana Maude and the Cardinals closed the door on the Trolls with a scoreless top of the seventh inning to complete the 2-1 win.

Taylor Warren pitched 4.2 innings. She struck out three, walked one, allowed seven hits, and gave up one earned run. Maude pitched 2.1 innings in relief to earn the victory, striking out two, walking one, allowing two hits, and giving up no earned runs.

The Trolls fell to 8-15-1, while the Cardinals improved to 10-8.

The Cardinals take on Elmhurst University in a doubleheader at Salt Creek Park in Elmhurst on Wednesday, April 2, to begin CCIW play. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m.

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.