April 6, 2007
Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio -The Northern Illinois University softball team split its doubleheader with Miami (OH) Friday afternoon at Miami Softball Field, dropping the first game, 6-4 and winning the second, 3-1.
"Defensively we were not ourselves in the first game," NIU head coach Donna Martin said. "Taryn Hagemann pitched better than the score reflected. She kept us close. We hit poorly until the fifth, sixth and seventh innings."
The Huskies (14-15, 4-2) fell behind the RedHawks 3-0 through the first four innings in the first game. The Huskies plated their first run in the fifth when Krystn Sendejas hit a two-out single to center driving in Krista McPherson from second. Miami (13-26, 3-3) responded with two more runs in the bottom of the inning and another in the sixth to take a 6-1 lead going into the top of the seventh.
The Huskies rallied in their final frame with three runs. Kate Welsh led things off with a walk and advanced to third when McPherson reached first base on an error by the second baseman. McPherson took second on a wild pitch. Ellen Stoddard stepped to the plate with two on and two outs and delivered a double to right, clearing the bases. Michelle Nendza singled to drive in Stoddard to pull the Huskies to within two, 6-4, but she was thrown out at second trying to advance on a misplayed ball by the outfielder, ending the rally and the game.
Hagemann (5-7) suffered the loss going six innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits. She did have six strikeouts in the game. The Huskies had three errors in the first game.
NIU came back in game two with a solid game. The Huskies pounded out seven hits, scoring three runs. The Huskies took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a leadoff home run by Nendza to left centerfield. The RedHawks tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a lead off homer of their own.
The two teams headed into the final frame tied, 1-1. Welsh opened the inning with a pinch-hit single. McPherson sacrificed her down to second and Randi Kreiter reached on an error making it first and third with one out for Stoddard. Once again the senior came through, singling to centerfield driving in two Huskies.
Stoddard went 2-4 with two runs batted in the first game and 2-4 with two RBI in the second game. Freshman Kate Greenough (9-8) picked up the victory, going seven innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out six.
"Defensively, we played much better in the second game," Martin said. "We did a better job at the plate creating some opportunities. There was some good defense under tough situations. Kate Greenough did a good job of focusing on what she needed to do. She did a great job of keeping us in the game."
The Huskies will be back in action Saturday when they head to Muncie, Ind. to face Ball State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CST.
