March 18, 2011

Box Score

RENO, Nev. - The Northern Illinois University softball team opened play in Nevada's Silver and Blue Classic splitting its two games Friday at Nevada's Hixson Park.

The Huskies (10-11) posted a 5-2 victory over Idaho State in the opening game, but fell to the host Wolfpack 9-1 in five innings in the second game of the day.

In NIU's game versus the Bengals, the Huskies opened up a 1-0 lead with an RBI single by freshman Stephanie Tofft (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln). Adriana Sanchez (San Fernando, Calif./Alemany) delivered the big blow in the top of the sixth when she hit a three run homer to left field to extend Northern Illinois' lead to 4-0. Dani Parrish (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with a lead-off home run also to left field.

Morgan Bittner (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) picked up the win going the distance, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven. The junior pitcher improved her record to 5-6.

"Morgan did a really good job on the mound," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "Adriana is doing a much better job at the plate with three RBIs in the first game and one in the second."

Tofft extended her hitting streak to 10 games with a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI and a run scored. Sanchez was 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored while Parrish was a perfect 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored.

Northern Illinois continues play in the Silver and Blue Classic tomorrow when the Huskies face Saint Mary's at 1:45 p.m. and Nevada at 4 p.m. Both times listed are Central.

-NIU-