April 23, 2011

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team suffered a 7-6 setback to Toledo Saturday afternoon at Mary M. Bell Field in Mid-American Conference action.

With the score tied 4-4 in the top of the seventh and with two on and one out, Toledo's (8-30, 3-8) Lindsey Tobias homered to left center to give the Rockets a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Huskies (19-20, 9-4) would not go away, scoring two runs to pull within a run with the bases loaded and two outs. However, Jen Solanics induced a groundout to end the inning and the game.

It was the second time in as many innings Northern Illinois left the bases loaded. The Huskies were unable to get that timely hit much of the contest, leaving 11 runners on base for the game.

"We didn't have people that wanted to step up and be the hero today," said NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard. "We had chances every inning to score runs.

"This is what happens when you let people hang around. They get confident and that confidence builds and they take the momentum and run with it."

Stephanie Tofft (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln), who extended her school record hitting streak to 29 games with a 2-for-3 day with an RBI and run scored, came in to pitch in relief of starter Nicole Gremillion (Missouri City, Texas/Elkins) in the fifth inning. She took the loss allowing five runs on three hits and walking five in three innings of work.

It was a see-saw battle early in the contest. After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the fourth, NIU came back with three runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 3-2 advantage. When Toledo added two more runs in the top of the fifth, NIU tied the game with a run in the bottom of the inning.

Northern Illinois is back in action Sunday when the Huskies conclude its series with Toledo. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and fans can follow all the action live via Gametracker at NIUHuskies.com.

-NIU-