NAPERVILLE, Ill. - North Central broke ties in the seventh inning of each game of a doubleheader to hand the Elmhurst softball team a pair of CCIW losses.
Elmhurst (12-12, 2-4 CCIW) suffered a 1-0 walk-off loss in game one and then dropped a 7-4 decision in game two after North Central (13-9, 4-0 CCIW) scored three times in the top of the seventh.
NORTH CENTRAL 1, ELMHURST 0 (Game One) - North Central used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to break a scoreless tie and score a win in game one.
North Central put runners in scoring position in each of the first six innings, but
Stefanie Sanidas and
Stephanie Sturino pitched out of jams each time.
Elmhurst's best scoring chance came in the top of the seventh as the Bluejays put runner on the corners with two outs, but a groundout ended the scoring threat.
A single, walk and hit batter loaded the bases for the Cardinals in the bottom of the seventh. Jenna Amazzalorso ended the contest with a sacrifice fly to drive in Rachele Belletini from third.
Sanidas made the start for Elmhurst and took a no-decision, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing six hits and three walks while fanning one. Sturino took the loss in relief, allowing one hit, one run and three walks in 2.1 innings.
Andrea Star tossed a complete-game shutout for the Cardinals, scattering four hits and one walk while striking out three.
NORTH CENTRAL 10, ELMHURST 7 (Game Two) - Elmhurst rallied from an early deficit, but North Central scored twice in the sixth to tie the game and plated three runs in the seventh to finish the doubleheader sweep.
North Central sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning and scored four runs to grab an early lead. Elmhurst cut into the lead with an RBI double from
Bekah Ondracek in the bottom of the first. The Cardinals tacked on a run in the second to open up a 5-1 cushion.
Elmhurst stormed back in the third as Ondracek cracked a two-run homer to start the Bluejays' scoring. After a pair of errors loaded the bases with two outs, Sanidas cleared the bases with a three-run triple down the left field line. Elmhurst led 7-5 after the inning.
North Central used a two-run single from Jenna Trojiniar in the top of the sixth to knot the score at 7-7. An Amanda Walker home run in the seventh put the Cardinals in front 8-7. North Central tacked on two more runs in the seventh to take put the game away.
Ondracek powered Elmhurst's offense with a pair of hits and three runs driven in.
Sturino took the loss for the Bluejays from the circle, allowing four hits and seven earned runs in 1.2 innings of work.
Elmhurst hosts Illinois Wesleyan University on Sunday, April 17.
