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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Apr. 19, 2025)- Giving up seven runs in both games of the doubleheader against the Augustana College Vikings, the North Central College softball fell to 15-15 overall and 4-6 in conference play at Shanower Family Field Saturday. 

Juliana Maude started game one cruising through the first two innings retiring six of the first eight batters she faced. The Vikings took the lead in the top of the third with a leadoff double and RBI single from McKenzie Stontz to take the 1-0 advantage. Augustana added another run with an Alaina Diaz RBI double in the fifth inning. WIth a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning, the Vikings put up five runs to lead 7-0. 

A Cardinal rally started in the bottom of the sixth as North Central loaded the bases with three straight singles courtesy of Kayla Crabtree, Hailey Morsovillo and Megan Traxinger. The first run for North Central came as Carley Creeth drew a bases loaded walk. Sydney Nienhouse drove home two more Cardinals with an RBI single and Bailey Miller brought the Cardinals to within three with an RBI groundout to make it 7-4. In the bottom of the seventh, Morsovillo singled home Talia Torosian to make it 7-5 and allow the game tying run to the plate, but they couldn't complete the comeback. 

Maude took the loss in the game pitching six innings allowing nine hits and seven runs, with three being earned. Nienhouse, Morsovillo, and Torosian each had two hits in game one and combined for three RBI. 

North Central took the early lead in game two as Emma Herder singled with the bases loaded to jump ahead 1-0. The lead was short lived as the Vikings jumped on Sam Schilf in the bottom of the first scoring three runs on four hits, including a two RBI double. With bases loaded, the Cardinals tied the game with a Nienhouse walk to make it 3-3 in the third. 

Augustana regained the lead in the fifth inning, loading the bases which knocked Schilf out of the game for Maude. Maude hit the first batter she faced and the Vikings retook the lead, 4-3. Three more runs would score in the inning after a RBI groundout, and two runners scored off a wild pitch which rolled into a dugout out of play. Retiring just one batter, Maude was relieved for Schilf who finished the game for the 7-3 final score. 

The Cardinals remain at home as the Carroll Pioneers (12-16, 3-5 CCIW) come to town for a doubleheader Tuesday, April 22. First pitch from Shanower Family Field is set for 3 p.m. 

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