April 17, 2009

Final Stats

Game 1

Game 2

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team was unable to contain the Ball State offense, dropping its doubleheader with the MAC West leader, losing the first game, 5-1, and falling to the Cardinals, 8-3, in the second Friday at the BSU Softball Complex.

The Huskies' (11-29, 6-6) offense, which had been struggling of late, was able to make contact in Friday's games. Northern Illinois put up five hits in the first game and six in the second. Unfortunately for NIU, the defense had a tough day in the field, committing seven errors on the day and Ball State (22-17, 12-1) capitalized, scoring five unearned runs.

"The offense did a good job," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "We hope to see more improvement tomorrow. Ball State was doing a good job of taking balls that were balls and hitting balls that were strikes."

One bright spot for the Huskies Friday came in the top of the third of the second game. With NIU trailing 5-1 with one out, senior Bailey Ouellette (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) blasted a two-run shot over the left field fence, driving in Ashley Cann (Glenwood, Ill./Marian Catholic) to pull the Huskies to within two, 5-3. It was her fifth home run of the season, tying her career-high set her freshman year.

"Bailey hit very well in the second game," Chouinard said. "We hope to see more of that tomorrow."

Ouellette went 2-for-3 in game two with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Catcher Michelle Williams (Fresno, Calif./Bullard) had a solid performance in the second game going 2-for-2 at the plate.

Northern Illinois continues its weekend road trip tomorrow when the Huskies travel to Oxford, Ohio to take on the RedHawks of Miami (OH). First pitch for Saturday is set for 3 p.m. CST. Fans can follow all the action live via Gametracker at www.niuhuskies.com.

-NIU-