April 29, 2007

Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. -The Northern Illinois University softball team defeated Akron, 5-1, Sunday at Mary M. Bell Field. The Huskies wrapped up their four-game homestand 2-2.

"It's always nice to end a homestand with a win," NIU head coach Donna Martin said. "We'll take this win and use it as a confidence builder into our last week of conference play. It was a good day."

After being shutout yesterday, the Huskies (20-23, 9-9) didn't waste time scoring runs in the series finale. The Huskies scored runs in three-straight innings against Akron (16-21, 7-7).

NIU opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Krystn Sendejas led off the inning with a double to left centerfield. Krista McPherson reached on an error by the second baseman, scoring Sendejas from second. Bailey Ouellette singled to center advancing McPherson to third. Randi Kreiter hit a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in McPherson.

NIU came back in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs. With runner at first and second with one out, McPherson doubled to left field driving in the Ashley Clement and Sendejas. Ellen Stoddard led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to right center, giving the Huskies an excellent scoring opportunity. Jenna Mitchell, who came in to pinch run for Stoddard, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kelly Park. Clement singled to left field scoring Mitchell and sealing the victory for the Huskies.

Freshman Kate Greenough pitched very well for the Huskies, going seven innings, allowing one run on four hits. McPherson went 2-4 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Stoddard went 2-2, while Randi Kreiter went 0-3 with an RBI.

The Huskies will be back in action Friday when they travel to Bowling Green State University to take on the Falcons. First pitch is 1 p.m. CST.