Final Stats

NIU-UConn Box Score 

FAU-NIU Box Score 

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped its two games on the second day of the FAU “Strike-Out” Cancer Tournament hosted by Florida Atlantic Saturday.

The Huskies (1-3) were shut out by UConn (3-6), 3-0, in the first game the doubleheader before falling to host FAU (8-0), 6-2.

“We are seeing improvements on both sides of the ball and our pitching is doing well,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “We just need to clean up a few small things and we’ll get on a roll.”

Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) continued her strong start, going 3-for-6 on the day, extending her hitting streak to four games. All three of the senior’s hits Saturday were doubles.

NIU’s offense couldn’t get anything going against UConn’s Jill Stockley. NIU was unable to capitalize on its three hits and an UConn error. The UConn Huskies scored three runs on four hits and three walks as sophomore Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) took the loss.

The Huskie offense fared a little better in its rematch with FAU in the nightcap. Unfortunately, NIU’s defense gave the already potent Owl offense more help than it needed.

After falling behind, 1-0, in the top of the first, the Huskies bounced back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Naegele began the rally with a leadoff double. Alaynie Wollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) then belted a two-run homer to give NIU a 2-1 lead.

However, the Owls responded with a four-run third to take a 5-2 lead. A hit batter gave the inning an ominous beginning for NIU. The Huskies got the first out of the inning when Samantha Lageyre tried to score when Lauren Witt reached on a throwing error. FAU loaded the bases on a single and another Huskie error.

Despite the two errors, NIU was an out away from getting out of the inning when Witt was thrown out at the plate. However Carnesha Thompson reached on a fielder’s choice leaving the bases loaded. Unfortunately for NIU, Emily Lochten belted a grand slam to blow the game wide open.

The Huskies wrap up the weekend Sunday with a rematch against Florida A&M. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. Central and will be available via Gametracker.

-NIU-