NCMC softball opened their season on Wednesday in Grimes, IA where they took a pair of losses to Ellsworth CC.  Next up will be a road trip on Saturday and Sunday to SAU Tech in Camden, AR. 

GAME 1

The Pirates dropped an 11-6 decision to ECC despite a balanced offensive effort and multiple extra-base hits.

NCMC finished with nine hits on the afternoon, highlighted by a strong performance from Ireland Bloss. The sophomore shortstop went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a double, and scored a run to pace the offense. Skylar Sunderland added two hits in three at-bats, including a double, while driving in a run.

Alex Endicott delivered one of the biggest swings of the game, ripping a triple and driving in two runs. Cora Thompson also contributed an RBI single and added a stolen base, while Ella Barnett brought home a run on a sacrifice fly. Katie Pierson chipped in with a base hit and executed a sacrifice to help move runners.

In the circle, Sunderland worked 5.1 innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs while taking the loss. Myla Laws came on in relief and recorded a strikeout in 0.2 innings of work.

Defensively, the Pirates turned a double play behind Laws and Chariss Barnard. However, Ellsworth capitalized on key extra-base hits, including a home run from Emmalee Bell, to pull away late.

North Central showed resilience at the plate with four walks and consistent pressure on the bases, but Ellsworth's timely hitting proved to be the difference.

GAME 2

NCMC softball battled until the final out but came up just short in a 10-9 loss to Ellsworth Community College in the finale.

The Pirates totaled nine runs on nine hits, with several players turning in multi-hit performances. Skylar Sunderland went 2-for-4 with two RBI and also logged 3.2 innings in the circle, allowing just one earned run while striking out one. Ireland Bloss finished 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI, adding a stolen base and taking the loss after 3.2 innings of work with three strikeouts.

Kaylor Hodge added a 2-for-4 effort with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored, while Ella Barnett drove in a run and swiped a base. Katie Pierson, Reghan Loges, and Trinity Alderman each contributed an RBI, with Loges and Bloss delivering sacrifice flies.

At the top of the lineup, Myla Laws reached base three times, scored twice, and stole a base, while Alex Endicott added a hit, two runs scored, and a walk to spark the offense.

After trailing early, NCMC mounted a six-run middle inning to seize momentum, but Ellsworth answered late to edge the Pirates in a tightly contested matchup. NCMC will look to carry the offensive momentum into its next outing.