April 22, 2009

Final Stats

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team hit the ball hard, but came up on the short end of a 6-4 decision to No. 10 Northwestern in a game that saw six balls leave Sharon J. Drysdale Field Wednesday afternoon.

"The middle of the line up did a really good job of making adjustments and swinging early in the count," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "We've been talking to them a lot about using their top hand and hitting the ball on the ground. That works well for us. We did a job today. We attacked well and were resilient. We kept fighting."

NIU (11-32) fell behind 3-0 after an Erin Dyer home run in the second and a two-run shot by Tammy Williams in the third inning. Dyer's and Williams' home runs were the first of five hit by the Wildcats in the game. The Huskies' offense came alive in the top of the fourth and top of the fifth inning.

With two on and one out, Bailey Ouellette (Beaverton, Ore.) doubled down the right field line, driving in Jenna Roberts (Verona, Ill./West) from third and Andrea Colosimo (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) from second to pull the Huskies to within a run, 3-2.

Freshman Carly Norton (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) led off the fifth with a game-tying home run over the left field fence, and Kayla Kramer (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago) doubled to center to drive in pinch runner Ashley Cann (Glenwood, Ill./Marian Catholic) from first base to give NIU a 4-3 lead.

The Wildcats (28-9) answered in the bottom of the fifth on a solo home run by Williams, her second of the game, to tie the game at 4-4. The Wildcats took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back home runs. NIU threatened in the top of the seventh with runners at first and second and two outs, but were unable to score and the Wildcats took home the victory.

Norton had a solid game for the Huskies, going 3-for-3 from the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Her home run was the fourth on the season, second behind Ouellette who has five. Kramer went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

"The top of the line-up did a good job," Chouinard said. "Carly Norton had a beautiful day at the plate. It's all about finding a line-up that works."

Northern Illinois is back on the diamond Friday afternoon when NIU resumes MAC play. The Huskies welcome Central Michigan to Mary M. Bell Field for a doubleheader Friday. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. CST. Fans can follow all the action live via Huskies All-Access with Bill Baker on the call and Gametracker at www.niuhuskies.com.

-NIU-