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Jenna Roberts went 1-3 against Illinois Saturday at the Marriott Houston Classic.

Softball

Huskie Softball Team Falls to In-State Rival Illinois

Feb. 21, 2009

Final Stats

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HOUSTON - The three-run fourth inning for Illinois proved to be the difference as the Northern Illinois softball team suffered a 3-1 loss to the Fighting Illini at the Marriott Houston Classic Saturday at the University of Houston's Cougar Softball Stadium.

The Huskies (1-2) opened the scoring in the top of the fourth. Jenna Roberts (Verona, Wis./West) led off the inning with a single to right field and Dani Thompson (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon) moved her to second on a ground out to the pitcher.

Roberts then advanced to third on a Michelle Williams (Fresno, Calif./Bullard) ground out to the short stop. A Bailey Ouellette (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) walk put runners on the corners with two outs. The Huskies pulled off a double steal with Ouellette taking second and Roberts stealing home to give NIU a 1-0 lead. It would be short-lived.

Illinois came right back in the bottom half of the inning. The Illini loaded the bases on a single, double and a two-out walk. NIU's Morgan Bittner (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) was one out away from getting of a jam when Meredith Hackett hit a double to right field, clearing the bases and giving Illinois a 3-1 lead.

Bittner (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on four hits. She walked three and struck out three. Roberts had the Huskies lone hit of the game, going 1-3 at the plate. It would turn out to be the only hit Illinois would give up on the afternoon.

The Huskies conclude play in the Marriott Houston Classic Sunday when Northern Illinois takes on McNeese State at 9 a.m.

-NIU-

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