The Purdue North Central softball team split a doubleheader verses Olivet Nazarene University Thursday afternoon in Michigan City. The Panthers won the first game 2-1 before dropping the nightcap 8-0 in five innings. PNC is now 19-17 overall and 7-9 in conference play while the Tigers moved to 37-5 and 14-1.

Olivet entered the games ranked 14th in the country and number one in Region VII. The Panthers 19 wins are the second most in the program's history. Last year PNC finished 21-17 overall and 10-8 in the CCAC.

In game one Jessica Brannagan and Stephanie Zaharias scored PNC's only runs in the first inning and they held up. The Tigers scored their lone run in the third inning.

Brannagan reached on a walk while Zaharias singled to the left side. Brannagan scored on a single by Val Minyard and Zaharias scored on a ground out by Betsy Maher. PNC had just three hits in the game but they came at the right time.

Bethany Toyias earned the complete game win for the Panthers, allowing one run on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

The Panthers fell short in the second game falling 8-0 in 5 innings. The game was tied through two innings before the Tigers scored two runs in the third and finished the game with six in the fifth.

Foust led the way with 2 singles and Minyard added a double for PNC who managed just three hits compared to 14 for the Tigers.

Toyias (11-6) started the game and allowed six runs on 10 hits in four innings of work. Alissa Whitaker came on in relief and allowed two runs on four hits in one inning.

The Panthers are scheduled to play again on Tuesday when they host Marian College (IN) in a doubleheader at 3 p.m.

The Purdue North Central softball team lost to visiting Robert Morris College 4-2 and 11-3 Wednesday afternoon at Patriot Park in Michigan City .

The Panthers moved to 18-16 overall and 6-8 in conference play while Robert Morris improved to 19-13 and 7-3.

In game one the Panthers were led offensively by Stephanie Zaharias with two hits and an RBI. Val Minyard contributed a double and Erin Foust added the other RBI for the Panthers who had seven hits overall.

Robert Morris collected 11 hits overall while scoring three runs in the second and one in the fifth to take control of the game. The Panthers responded with two runs in the sixth but Robert Morris' pitcher struck out nine PNC batters to end scoring opportunities.

In game two the Panthers had seven more hits with Betsy Maher leading the way with three hits and two RBI.  However, Robert Morris responded with 15 hits to win in five innings by the eight run rule. The Eagles scored two runs in the first inning, six in the second and three in the third while the Panthers pushed across two in the third and one in the fifth.

The Panthers will be back in action Thursday when they play host to conference leading and 14th ranked Olivet Nazarene in a doubleheader. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

The Purdue North Central softball team dropped a doubleheader to Judson University Monday evening in Elgin, IL . The Panthers fell to 18-14 overall and 6-6 in the CCAC while Judson improved to 18-15 and 9-6.

In game one the Eagles won 9-1 in six innings. Both teams had 10 hits but Judson took advantage of five walks by three PNC pitchers to pick up the victory.

The game was scoreless through two innings but Judson scored three runs in the third inning, one in the fourth, three more in the fifth and two in the sixth. The Panthers scored their only run in the fourth inning.

Offensively, Val Minyard, Erin Foust, Alyssa Duncan and Melissa Carson all had two hits, with Carson hitting a homerun.

In game two the Panthers out-hit Judson nine to eight but couldn't string them together as they fell 5-3. Minyard and Duncan led the way with two hits apiece with Duncan collecting her first collegiate homerun.

Bethany Toyias went the distance on the mound for PNC, striking out five and walking 2.

The Panthers will play again on Wednesday when they host Robert Morris College in another CCAC doubleheader at 4 p.m.

The Purdue North Central softball team moved to 18-12 overall and 6-4 in conference play following a doubleheader sweep over Calumet College of St. Joseph Wednesday afternoon in Whiting. The Crimson Wave fell to 12-17 and 2-11.

The Panthers won the first game 8-1 behind the strong pitching of Alissa Whitaker. Whitaker went the distance, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out 11.

Jessica Frucci and Val Minyard led the offense with two hits apiece while Alyssa Duncan added a double.

The Panthers scored two runs in the second inning, four in the third and one each in the fourth and sixth innings. Overall, the Panthers had 8 hits and drew 5 walks.

In game two the Panthers won 4-0 behind the strong pitching of Bethany Toyias. Toyias also went the distance and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five.

PNC had nine hits with Minyard and Erin Foust collecting two, with Foust picking up a triple. Melissa Carson added a single and a double while Betsy Maher contributed a double. The Panthers scored two runs each in the fourth and seventh innings.

The Panthers will travel to Iowa Wesleyan on Thursday to play seven games in a weekend tournament.

The Purdue North Central softball team recently announced their signing class to date for the 2007-08 school year.

The following student-athletes have all signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Panthers and head softball coach Jeff Boardman next season: Tera Clark ( Warsaw High School ), Kelsey Haney ( Lake Michigan College ), Karissa Inglis ( Lake Central High School ), Megan Olson ( Hobart High School ) and Jaci Williams ( Twin Lakes High School ).

Boardman and his staff have resurrected the Panther softball program. After inheriting a limited roster and finishing 6-32 and 1-17 in the CCAC in 2005, the Panthers finished 21-17 and 10-8 in 2006. This culminated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the country last season.

Jaci Williams, a senior at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, IN has signed a national letter of intent to play softball for Purdue North Central and head coach Jeff Boardman.

Williams is planning on studying Elementary Education and eventually focusing on Special Education.

Williams plays pitcher, outfield and infielder for Twin Lakes under coach Desiree Swaim. She has been on the varsity since her freshman year. Last season she was 5-6 with one save and a 2.17 ERA. She allowed 51 hits while striking out 54 in 49 innings of work. She also hit .385 with three doubles and had an on base percentage of .472.

As a sophomore in 2006 Williams was 5-8 with a 4.57 ERA and allowed 74 hits while punching out 78 in 69 innings.

As a freshman, Williams was 4-2 with a 1.48 ERA and allowed 40 hits while striking out 53 in 47.1 innings.

The future Panther has played for several travel teams, most recently for the 2007 Eclipse 16 and Under program. Last summer she was 13-1 with a 1.35 ERA and struck out 106 batters in 93.1 innings.

Williams has also played for the Indiana Rockets 16 and Under team in 2006, the 2005 Indiana Shockwaves 14 and Under team and the Monticello Mustangs 14 and Under program. She anticipates playing for the Circle City Sliders in the summer of 2008.

Boardman and his staff have resurrected the Panther softball program. After inheriting a limited roster and finishing 6-32 and 1-17 in the CCAC in 2005, Boardman's Panthers finished 21-17 and 10-8 in 2006 after just one recruiting class. This culminated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the country last season.

Purdue University North Central is a campus of more than 3,900 students and is a part of the Purdue University system.

Karissa Inglis, a senior at Lake Central High School in St. John, IN signed a letter of intent to play for the Purdue North Central softball team.

Inglis recently transferred from Virginia and played for the Illinois Angels 18-Under summer travel team. She will play outfield and pitcher at Lake Central in 2008.

The future Panther will play under the tutelage of PNC head coach Jeff Boardman.

Boardman and his staff have resurrected the Panther softball program. After inheriting a limited roster and finishing 6-32 and 1-17 in the CCAC in 2005, Boardman's Panthers finished 21-17 and 10-8 in 2006 after just one recruiting class. This culminated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the country last season.

Purdue University North Central is a campus of more than 3,900 students and is a part of the Purdue University system.