April 21, 2007
Box Score
KENT, Ohio -The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped the series opener with MAC East leader Kent State, 5-4 Saturday afternoon.
"It was a tough loss," said NIU head coach Donna Martin. "Kate (Greenough) did a pretty good job. We had some really good at bats against a really good pitcher. Hopefully that will carry over into tomorrow."
After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Huskies (18-20, 7-6) tied the game in the top of the fourth on a leadoff home run by Randi Kreiter. Kent State (23-15, 9-2) regained the lead in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back home runs. The Huskies battled back in the top of the fifth.
With the bases loaded and one out, Kreiter stepped to the plate. The sophomore out of Deerfield, Ill. delivered with an RBI groundout, scoring Jenna Roberts. The Huskies had runners at second and third with two outs, but were unable to capitalize and went into the bottom of the fifth down 3-2. Kent State scored another run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-2 lead into the top of the seventh.
A single by Roberts and a walk by Krystn Sendejas put two runners on with one out for Bailey Ouellette with one out. Ouellette, who had five RBIs in the doubleheader with Buffalo yesterday, stroked a single to score Sendejas and Roberts. Walks by Kreiter and Michelle Nendza loaded the bases with one out. Unfortunately for NIU, the Huskies were unable to capitalize and went into the bottom of the seventh tied, 4-4.
A triple by Kim Hamilton scored Jessica Kramb, who led off the inning with a single, and gave the Golden Flashes a win in the series opener.
"We left Kate in because she had done pretty well against the bottom of their order," Martin said. "Kate got ahead of the first two batters. They both hit 0-2 pitches."
Kreiter had a great day for the Huskies. She went 1-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Ouellette was 1-2 with two RBI. Greenough (11-10) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits, striking out three.
The Huskies are back in action Sunday for the series finale with the Golden Flashes of Kent State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CDT.
