March 17, 2011

Box Score

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Northern Illinois University softball team split its doubleheader with Sacramento State Thursday at Sacramento State's Shea Stadium in Sacramento, Calif.

The Huskies (9-10), who are averaging almost six runs a game this season, posted an 8-0 shutout over Sacramento State in Game One, before falling to the Hornets, 11-3, in the nightcap.

"Adriana [Sanchez] was great at the plate going 3-for-3 [in Game One] and Stephanie [Tofft] extended her hitting streak to nine games," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "Whitney [Owens] and Nicole [Gremillion] combined for the shutout which was nice to see."

In addition to her perfect performance at the plate, Sanchez, a native of San Fernando, Calif. also had an RBI and a run scored in the first contest. Tofft, who hails from Lincoln, Calif., had a strong day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. NIU saw production throughout the line up in the first game with Alexandra Wulbecker (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) going 2-for-4 with a run scored and Amanda Sheppard (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Three other Huskies recorded a hit also.

In the first game, NIU jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a run in both the second and third innings. Two runs in the fourth and a four spot in the sixth put the game out of reach for Sacramento State and the game ended after six innings.

Owens improved to 4-3, going five strong innings allowing two hits while striking out three. Gremillion pitched a scoreless sixth help preserve NIU's second shutout.

Northern Illinois is back in action Friday when the Huskies travel to Reno, Nev. for the Silver and Blue Classic. The Huskies' first opponent is Idaho State. The two met last year at the Amy S. Harrison Classic with NIU winning 1-0. First pitch is set for 11:30 a.m. Central Time. NIU will face host Nevada at 6 p.m. CDT as well.

-NIU-