Cardinals Grab Two

Cardinals Grab Two

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Today at Shanower Family Field the host North Central College Cardinals defeated the Mount Mary University softball team in both games of a two-game series. The Cardinals (23-3) won the first contest 8-0 in a five-inning no-hitter, then won game two 12-0.

The Blue Angels (0-14) started sophomore hurler Adrianna Nester (Anaheim, Calif.) in the first contest. Nester took control in the early innings giving up just two baserunners in the first two innings with a hit and a walk.

In the top of the third, Melanie Coffey (So./Cedarburg, Wis.) reached base on a walk to breakup Jessica Weaver's stretch of holding eight straight batters off the base paths. Weaver bounced back to strikeout Haley Jacquez (So./Oakley, Calif.) for the final out of the third.

The Cardinals received a runner via a walk to open up the bottom half of the third inning. Following a sacrifice bunt, Jenna Trojniar hit a single back up the middle to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

NCC broke things open in the fifth inning following back-to-back doubles which started the frame. The Cardinals continued to apply pressure in the fifth with three more hits, two walks, and two Blue Angel errors which resulted in seven runs and an 8-0 score.

Nester was dealt the loss and went 4.1 innings surrendering six earned runs. The opposition collected seven hits and reached via walk six times in the first contest.

Weaver (2-1) was given the win and finished the game with an official no-hitter. Weaver struck-out six in her 5.0 innings and walked one batter.

Hannah Harnsberger (So./Hillsboro, Ore.) got the start in the circle in game two for the Blue Angels.

The Cardinals were able to strike first on the scoreboard in inning number two. A leadoff single and back-to-back doubles from the Cardinals led to the first run of the game and a 2-0 lead after the second inning.

NCC stretched out the lead in the third inning when a leadoff double started the frame. Taylor Clugston subsequently launched a two-run homerun to give the Cardinals a 4-0 lead. A walk and three more hits from the Cardinals made the score 8-0 after the third inning.

MMU leadoff their turn in the fourth with a single off the bat of Adrianna Nester. Nester was then doubled off trying to reach second base on a flyout in foul territory.

The Cardinals scored four more runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning. NCC scored their runs off of four Blue Angel errors and just two hits.

With a 12-0 lead after five innings, the Cardinals took game two for the series sweep. Harnsberger was given the loss and is 0-7 on the season. She went 4.0 innings surrendering eight earned runs off of 11 hits and one walk.

After today's doubleheader, the Blue Angels will prepare for their next two-game series set for Mon. Apr. 23 against rival Maranatha Baptist. First pitch against the Sabercats is set for 5:00 pm in Watertown, Wis. For updates and box scores, check mtmaryathletics.com.