Final Stats

DEKALB, Ill. -- The Northern Illinois University softball team had a historic, albeit short, day Wednesday in a 3-2 rain-shortened win over UIC.
 
Trailing 2-0, Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) played hero with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to put the Huskies (27-20) ahead of the Flames (21-19). The homer broke the team single-season home run record with the 38th jack of the year, while Woollard joined Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) as the first pair of Huskie teammates to hit 10 or more home runs in a single season.
 
"We overall played very well at home this year," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "That was nice to be able to play that way outside of some rough games. Breaking two records with one swing is also fun, as well. To be able to do that on our home turf is extra special.
 
After leaving seven runners on base over the first three innings, the Flames broke through with two runs in the top of the fourth. With a runners on third and one out, Taylor Cairns singled to left-center to score LaRi Mitchell for the first run. UIC proceeded to load the bases and Laura Swan drew a walk to force home a run for a 2-0 Flame lead.
 
NIU, though, had an answer in the bottom half of the fourth. Singles by Grable and Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) put two on early, while a sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position. Woollard then put the Huskies in front with one swing, launching a deep flyball down the left field line that just went fair.
 
"I'm not sure what they did different other than seeing the pitcher the second time through the lineup," Sutcliffe said on the big fourth inning. "She obviously did a nice job the first time through and they made adjustments and started to put the ball in play. They didn't try to do too much with the pitch. We were getting on with just groundballs through the infield. We'll take it."
 
UIC had a chance to tie or take the lead in the top of the fifth, as they got runners on second and third with two outs. However, the Huskies forced a groundout to end the threat before the rain started falling.
 
NIU starts the final weekend of the regular season Friday with a doubleheader at Buffalo. First pitch for game one is set for noon CT.