North Central Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst College baseball team dropped to 11-13 overall and 3-9 in CCIW play following a 20-8 loss at North Central College.

North Central (5-14, 4-7 CCIW) scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first to blow the game open.

Elmhurst led 2-0 in the first inning after Brett Lilley doubled and scored on a wild pitch, and Zach Hofer smashed a solo home run.

North Central sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning, with the first eight reaching base. The Cardinals scored 10 times in the inning to take a commanding lead.

The Bluejays pulled to within three runs after scoring five runs in the top of the second. Lilley launched a two-run homer and Nick Herrera smacked a three-run bomb to cut into North Central's lead.

The Cardinals answered right back with three runs in the bottom of the second to establish a 13-7 lead.

Elmhurst scored its final run of the game in the third inning on a Herrera RBI single.

Herrera finished the game with a team-leading four RBI. Lilley, Hofer and Dan Matkovic all added two hits apiece in the loss.

Joe Luft (2-3) made the start for the Bluejays and took the loss. He was tagged for eight hits and 12 runs (nine earned) in just one inning.

Elmhurst plays at Aurora University on April 14.