April 30, 2011

 

Box Score

 

 

Box Score in PDF Format

 

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Northern University softball team suffered a 6-4 setback in extra innings to Western Michigan Saturday afternoon at Fran Ebert Field.

A three-run homer by Western Michigan's (17-24, 11-4) Tara Buchanan capped off a four-run inning for the Broncos. Two of the four runs were unearned as NIU committed two costly errors in the frame.

"It was a hard-fought game," said NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard. "Western Michigan did a great job of taking advantage of our mistakes and getting the big hit when it need to."

Down, 1-0 in the top of the sixth, NIU (23-22, 10-5) tied the game on a RBI double to left center by Jennifer Barnett (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli). The Huskies took the lead in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Alexandra Wulbecker (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates). However, WMU responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, 2-2, and send the contest into extra innings.

After two scoreless innings from both clubs, Northern Illinois struck first with two runs in the 10th. Freshman Stephanie Tofft (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln), who extended her school-record hitting streak to 35 games with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, drove in the first run of the inning on an RBI groundout. Dani Parrish (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) singled to center field, driving in Andrea Colosimo (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) and giving NIU a 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 10th.

Barnett had a solid day at the plate going 3-for-5 with an RBI. Parrish also went 3-for-5 with a RBI and run scored, while Tofft and Wulbecker each went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Northern Illinois looks to even the series when the Huskies battle the Broncos in the series finale Sunday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. Central time.

-NIU-