Feb. 27, 2011

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Northern Illinois University softball team posted a 10-7 victory over St. John's in the final day of the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic hosted by Texas Tech.

The Huskies (3-7) took an early 4-0 lead with a run in the top of the first and three in the top of the second. Freshman Nicole Germillion (Missouri City, Texas/Elkins) stole home to score the first run of the game. Back-to-back doubles by Alexandra Wulbecker (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) and Gianna Cipollone (Newport Beach, Calif./San Clemente) gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead. The big blow of the inning came on a two-run homer by Amanda Sheppard (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest).

"The offense never quit," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "We had a really important talk earlier this week about our offense what we need to do. They really stepped up their game at the plate this weekend and that's why we won. The offense led the way and gave Morgan a lead and she just ran with it."

Northern Illinois extended its lead to 6-0 with two runs in the fourth inning. However, St. John's (5-10) cut the lead in half with a three-run sixth.

NIU added some insurance runs in its final at bat. With two on and nobody out, Andrea Colosimo (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) delivered an RBI single. Krista Matsui (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) followed with a three-run homer, the first home run of her career to give the Huskies a 10-3 lead. That would prove to be the difference in the game as Red Storm would plate four in bottom of the seventh.

"She got a pitch to hit and she was ready for it," Chouinard said of Matsui's home run. "We had a home run for Amanda Sheppard, our No. 9 hitter and Krista, our No. 8 hitter. So, up and down the lineup we were able to do it.

Sheppard led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 from the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Matsui was 1-for-1 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Wulbecker went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Northern Illinois returns to the diamond Friday, Mar. 4 when the Huskies take on Sacred Heart in the first game of the Colorado State Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.

-NIU-