Feb. 12, 2010

Box Score

Box Score

SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped its season opener, falling to Oklahoma State in the CenturyLink Classic hosted by Texas State Friday afternoon at Bobcat Field in San Marcos, Texas.

The Huskies (0-1) opened the tournament against Big 12 foe Oklahoma State, falling to the Cowgirls, 5-4, in eight innings. The day got off to a promising start for Northern Illinois as the Huskies took a 1-0 lead when freshman Jennifer Barnett (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) collected her first collegiate hit and run batted in scoring Ashley Cann (Glenwood, Ill./Marian Catholic) on a single up the middle.

With the scored tied 1-1 in the top of the third, the Huskies retook the lead on a three-run homer by Dani Parrish (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) over the right field fence.

"Dani worked really hard in the offseason and has gotten herself into a much better place offensively," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "We set out a challenge to her at the end of last year and she has risen to the occasion."

However, Oklahoma State (1-0) got a couple of those runs back in the bottom of the frame. The Cowgirls scored two runs on a throwing error by the Huskie defense to pull within a run, 4-3. Oklahoma State tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when a lead-off double by Megan Castle came around to score.

Neither club was able to take the lead in the seventh inning, and the game was sent to extras. After the Huskies were unable to score in their half of the eighth, Oklahoma State loaded the bases with two outs and Alysia Hamilton singled down the left field line to drive in the winning run.

Bittner took the loss, allowing five runs, two earned, on 10 hits in seven and two-thirds innings. Parrish went 1-for-4 from the plate with three RBIs and a run scored, while Carly Norton (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3.

-NIU-