April 30, 2006
Box Score
ATHENS, OH - After winning yesterday's contest over Ohio University for their first Mid-American Conference road win, the Northern Illinois University softball team decided to keep on rolling as they swept the series with the Bobcats after another shutout, this time, by a 4-0 margin.
The Huskies took advantage of a tough defensive inning for the Bobcats. In the top of the fifth, NIU scored three runs on only one hit, but the frame also had three Ohio errors. Rightfielder Kelly Park (West Aurora, IL/North Aurora) recorded the only single of the inning after second baseman Bailey Ouellette (Beaverton, OR/Beaverton) reached base on a Bobcat error.
With runners on first and second with two outs, centerfielder Jenna Roberts (Verona, WI/Verona) hit a ball that the Ohio shortstop couldn't handle, allowing Ouellette to score the first run of the game. NIU shortstop Krista McPherson (Beecher, IL/Beecher) forced another Ohio error, allowing Park to score and giving NIU the 2-0 lead. With runners now on first and third for the Huskies, McPherson attempted to steal second, and an errant throw by the Bobcat catcher allowed Roberts to score from third and NIU had the 3-0 advantage.
For an insurance run in the top of the seventh, freshman designated player Randi Kreiter (Deerfield, IL/Deerfield) blasted her first career home run, a windshield-breaking solo shot to rightfield.
Lindsey LaChiana (Oak Lawn, IL/Richards) earned her eleventh win of the season and fourth shutout of the year by throwing a four-hit gem and battling out of some tough situations. In the bottom of the sixth, after two singles and a walk, the bases were loaded for Ohio with only one out. LaChiana and the Huskies managed to get out of inning unscathed after a pop up and a lineout.
"We're beginning to play really well right now," said head coach Donna Martin. "Three out of the four games this weekend, we played pretty good ball and had good emotional efforts. Right now, they're in the mindset that they can win, and we're playing our best softball at the end of the season."
NIU (20-23, 8-10 MAC) return to Mary M. Bell Field on Tuesday (May 2) for a 5 p.m. game against Illinois State University. The Huskies then finish out the regular MAC season next weekend (May 5-7) against Bowling Green State University and University of Toledo in DeKalb.
