March 13, 2008

NIU-ORE 1

NIU-ORE 2

EUGENE, Ore. - The Northern Illinois softball team fell in both games of a doubleheader with Oregon on a rainy day at Howe Field, losing 4-2 in the first game and 5-3 in the second game with the two teams having to sit through a near one hour rain delay in the third inning of each game. The Huskies' record now evens to 5-5 as the Ducks improve to 19-11.

In Game One, the Huskies tied the game, 2-2, in the third inning after senior Michelle Nendza (Palos Park, Ill./Lemont Mt. Assisi), who had two hits and two runs batted in, drove in a pair runs on a double to right-center. However, the Ducks broke the tie by adding a run in the fifth and sixth innings, going on to win, 4-2. Junior Jenna Roberts (Verona, Wis./West) added two hits with a stolen base and senior Krista McPherson (Beecher, Ill./Beecher) had a hit for the NIU offense.

In her return to her home state, freshman Joreigh Landers (Vernonia, Ore/Vernonia) pitched four innings while giving up three earned runs on five hits with one strikeout. With the loss, Landers' record drops to 2-1. Senior Taryn Hagemann (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) finished the final two innings for NIU, giving up an earned run on three hits with three strikeouts.

Similar to the first game, NIU found themselves down early in Game Two, trailing, 3-0, after Oregon's Neena Bryant hit a three-run home run off sophomore Kate Greenough (Portland, Ore./David Douglas) in the first inning. The Huskies added a run off a RBI double by Nendza in the third, but the Ducks plated two more runs in the fourth to put the Huskies out of reach.

Greenough (3-2) went the distance for the Huskies, surrendering four earned runs on six hits with one strikeout and took the loss. Roberts also added a hit and a stolen base for NIU.

The Huskies continue their spring trip tomorrow at Portland, Ore when NIU takes on Portland State (11-16) at 4 p.m. CT and Washington (16-8-1) at 8 p.m.

-NIU-