April 9, 2004

Box Score	R	H	E
Kent State	9	7	0
Northern Illinois	1	5	4

WP: Leary (6-5)
LP: Krahula (5-8)

Box Score	R	H	E
Kent State	5	7	1
Northern Illinois	2	4	2

WP: Robinson (4-5)
LP: Dearborn (3-11)
SV: Logar (2)
HR: Lauren von Holst (NIU / 2-run / 4th inning)

RECORDS TO DATE: Northern Illinois now 10-26 overall, 2-6 MAC / Kent State now 13-13 overall, 4-1 MAC
NEXT HUSKIE ACTION: Saturday / Apr. 10 / NIU vs. Kent State University / DeKalb, IL / 1:00 p.m. (CDT)

NIU SOFTBALL LOSING STREAK HITS EIGHT AFTER KENT STATE SWEEPS MID-DAY FRIDAY DOUBLEHEADER IN DEKALB
DeKALB, IL---Too many errors in the field and the inability to get the key hit when needed added two more losses to a growing Northern Illinois University softball losing streak Friday (Apr. 9). The Huskies committed six errors over two games and dropped a pair of contests to Kent State University in Mid-American Conference action in DeKalb.

NIU has now lost eight consecutive games after losing a 9-1 decision in game one and taking a 5-2 loss in the nightcap. The Huskies stand at 10-26 overall on the season with a 2-6 record in MAC play. Kent State, on the other hand, is quickly moving up the league ranks with a 4-1 conference ledger to go with a 13-13 overall slate.

The floodgates opened on Huskie starter Amy Krahula (Woodridge / Downers Grove South) in the top of the fourth inning of game one. With one run already in, the Golden Flashes loaded the bases with two outs. Shortstop Marci Ridenbaugh followed with a single down the right field line to plate two more runs and put runners at the corners. KSU executed the double steal to perfection on the next pitch as Ridenbaugh swiped second and Abby Molnar raced home on the throw down to second, giving Kent State a 4-0 lead.

KSU didn't even have to put the ball in play in the top of the fifth to keep pouring it on. Amy West (Williamsfield) relieved Krahula in the circle and walked three of the first four batters she faced to load the bases. Tracie Logar plated two of those runners with a double off the fence in centerfield before a Huskie error allowed KSU to tack another run on the board. Logar finally came home and capped off the scoring on a West passed ball, making it an 8-0 Golden Flash advantage.

NIU did finally score a run in the bottom of the frame to break a 22-inning scoreless streak. Toni Del Toro (Las Vegas, NV / Durango) laced a double to the gap in left-center to lead off the frame. Right-fielder Therese Harper (Glenwood / Homewood-Flossmoor) then brought home pinch-runner Kara Schuur (Muscatine, IA) as NIU's first run in four games with a single through the right side.

That was all the Northern Illinois offense could muster, however, collecting just five hits during the opener. Del Toro posted a 2-for-3 day, but also committed one of four Northern Illinois errors in the field. Krahula (5-8) took the loss after giving up four runs on four hits in four innings of work. The senior did strike out five while walking just one.

Lauren von Holst (Mokena / Lincoln-Way East) gave NIU a much-needed shot in the arm in the fifth inning game two. With Del Toro on first after a leadoff single, the true freshman hammered a Brittney Robinson offering deep over the fence in left field and put the Huskies on top 2-0 with her third home run of the season.

The lead didn't even last a half-inning, as the Golden Flashes stormed back with three runs in the top of the fifth. Huskie starter Kathy Dearborn (Geneseo / Darnall) carried a no-hitter into the fifth before Jodi Stevens crushed a one-out triple off the base of the fence in centerfield. Dearborn struck out the next batter, however, and was moving towards escaping the jam when Brittney Robinson drew a walk and Molnar slapped a single down the left field line to cut the lead in half. Ridenbaugh doubled to left field immediately after to give the Golden Flashes the lead back for good at 3-2.

After allowing a pair of insurance runs in the sixth, the Huskies put together a formidable threat in the bottom of the seventh. Kelly Redican (Lynwood / Chicago Heights Marian Catholic) reached on a fielder's choice and back-to-back singles by Kelly Drozd (Lockport) and Del Toro loaded the bases with two outs. Von Holst couldn't dig up the magic one more time, popping out to second base to end the game.

Harper went 2-for-4 in her second consecutive game occupying the leadoff spot in the Northern Illinois batting order. Redican was 0-for-2, but drew a pair of walks. Dearborn (3-11) pitched six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits. The outing marked the first time in her last five starts that the junior has given up more than two earned runs. Paige Granath (Machesney Park / Harlem) pitched a perfect seventh inning of relief.

Northern Illinois and Kent State are scheduled to close out their three-game set Saturday (Apr. 10). First pitch for the series rubber match is set for 1:00 p.m. (CDT).

-30- --Copy by Brian Kedzior