April 24, 2010

Box Score

Game One Box Score in PDF Format

Game Two Box Score in PDF Format

DEKALB, Ill. - After dropping a 1-0 decision in the first game of a doubleheader with Western Michigan, the Northern Illinois University softball team used a 14-hit explosion to post an 8-4 victory over the Broncos in the nightcap at Mary M. Bell Field Saturday afternoon.

Adriana Sanchez (San Fernando, Calif./Alemany) and Zoe Sinner (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) keyed the Huskies' (20-26, 8-6) offensive explosion with each going 3-for-4 with Sanchez driving in three runs and Sinner driving in two runs. Sinner drove in one of her two runs on a solo home run, her ninth of the season, to center field in the third inning.

"Adriana came up really big for us," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "She had three big hits, two of them late in the inning when we needed them. She also seems to be settling in behind the plate, and that's great to see."

After exchanging leads with the Broncos (11-19, 6-8), NIU broke toke the lead in the bottom of the fifth. With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, NIU retook the lead on a Sanchez double to right field to drive in Ashley Cann (Glenwood, Ill./Marian Catholic), who came into pinch run for Sinner who hit a one-out single to left. A pinch-hit triple by Dani Parrish (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) to right center field extended the lead to 6-4.

Sanchez drove in two more runs in the sixth when she hit a two-out single to center field to score Michelle Williams (Fresno, Calif./Bullard) and Andrea Colosimo (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg).

Sophomore Morgan Bittner (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly), who came in to pitch in the fifth inning, was solid in relief of starter Monica Segura (Santa Ana, Calif./Segerstrom Fundamental). She pitched three solid innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits while striking out three. Bittner was impressive in the first game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out nine. Her only mistake was a solo home run by her counterpart Meredith Whitney.

"Morgan always does a great job of changing speeds," Chouinard said. "She came out confident and hit her spots."

Northern Illinois University returns to the diamond Tuesday for a doubleheader at Loyola. First pitch for Game One is set for 3 p.m. with the second game to follow. Fans can follow all the action live via Gametracker at NIUHuskies.com.

-NIU-