By JIM RUMBLE

It's been a tough season for the young Northgate softball team, and the circumstances were no different when the Flames hosted North Catholic last Thurs-day.

The Flames were limited to two hits and a run as they were overpowered by the Trojans in six innings 15-1.

Northgate, whose last win came in a non-section game against Aliquippa on March 29, saw their overall record drop to 1-5 and 0-3 in section play.

Flames’ freshman pitcher Emma DiDomenico absorbed the loss, giving up seven hits, eight walks and recording two strike-outs.

Meanwhile, the Trojans’ pitching kept the North-gate bats almost silent, recording 13 strike-outs.

North Catholic jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning but took control with eight runs in the second to go up 9-0. DiDomenico and the Flames’ defense did an admirable job through the next three innings, limiting the Trojans to one run and a 10-0 lead.

Northgate finally got something going in the bottom of the fifth inning, starting with a base hit to right field by Samantha Chapman. Chapman was able to advance to third base with two stolen bases, and with two out, Charli Cherkes stroked a hit to center field, scoring Chapman to put the score at 10-1.

North Catholic made their move toward making this an early night with five runs in the top of the sixth that put the final score at 15-1.