ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University baseball team suffered an 8-1 setback to North Central College at Butterfield Park.

North Central (30-6/24-4 CCIW) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Luke Lehnen tripled to lead off the contest and then scored on a wild pitch. The Cardinals made it 3-0 in the fourth on a two-run single from Joe Rizzo.
 
Elmhurst (17-19/12-17 CCIW) had chances to score in the early innings, putting two on with no outs in the second but coming up empty. The Bluejays loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth and scored a run on Drew Raspolich's RBI groundout to make the score 3-1.
 
The Cardinals tacked on a run in the in seventh on Jared Wojcik's RBI single to make the score 4-1. North Central scored four insurance runs in the ninth to come away with the 8-1 victory.
 
Elmhurst was limited to only five hits in the loss. Freddie March collected two hits to lead Elmhurst at the plate.
 
Jay Palmer made the start and took the loss for the Bluejays. He worked 5.1 innings and allowed only eight hits and three earned runs. He walked two while striking out five. Nicholas Rietz picked up the win for the Cardinals, tossing five innings and allowing just five hits and one run. He walked one and struck out four.
 
Elmhurst travels to Augustana College on Thursday, May 13, for a 5:00 p.m. contest.