Final Stats

TXSU-NIU Box Score 

NIU-GCU Box Score 

LIVE STATS

PHOENIX -- The Northern Illinois University softball team split its first two games of the GCU Invitational hosted by Grand Canyon University at Stapelton-Pierson Stadium Friday.

The Huskies (3-4) scored a 7-3 victory over Texas State in their first game, before dropping an11-3 decision to the host Lopes.

NIU's bats were hot in both games as the Huskies pounded out seven hits against the Bobcats and nine against Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, NIU was unable to get the timely hit in the nightcap against the Lopes.

Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) led the charge, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in the tournament opener and 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Freshman Jenny Van Geerty (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was solid at the plate as well. She went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Game 1 and 2-for-2 with an RBI in the second game.

While the Huskies did string together some hits on the day, it took them until the fourth inning against the Bobcats to really get things going. But when they got going, they got going. With the Huskies down, 1-0, in the bottom of the fourth, Naegele tied the game when she hit her third home run of the season.

A three-run outburst in the fifth, and another in the sixth sealed the victory over the Bobcats. With at second and third with one out in the bottom of the fifth, Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central) drove the pair in on an error by Texas State's center fielder. A two-out double by Naegele made the score, 4-1 Huskies.

The Bobcats got a pair runs back in the top of the sixth to close to within a run. However, NIU responded in the bottom of the frame. Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) delivered the big blow, belting a three-run homer to give NIU a 7-3 lead.

"Our offense did really well," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "In the first game, Caitlyn Warren in the sixth inning, answered the Bobcats runs and gave us a little breather in the seventh. That was huge for us, that three-run homer.

"We put pressure on the defense early in both games. That always helps. Naegele had a great day as well."

Freshman Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville), who allowed three runs, two earned on five hits and a Huskie error, pitched a clean seventh to give the Huskies the win.

"Alex did a really good job," Sutcliffe said. "She mixed in some in and out and her off speed, at times, was really effective. I think that was the difference. She had a

NIU jumped on top the Lopes early in second game, but were unable to get to things going late. The Huskies took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and once again it was NIU's senior catcher leading the way.

With a runner on third with two outs, Naegele singled to left field, driving in Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) from third. A Van Geertry single to the gap in left centerfield drove in Naegele to give NIU a 2-0 lead before the Lopes came to bat.

However, a three-run first and three-run third gave the Lopes a 6-2 lead. The Huskies had a chance to cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth. With runners on first and second, Van Geertry was thrown out at home trying to score on a Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) single to center.

GCU made the Huskies pay in the bottom of the fourth. The Lopes put up a four spot in the inning to take a 10-2 lead. NIU got a run back in the top of the fifth, but that would be all the Huskie offense would muster.

The Huskies return to the diamond Saturday when NIU faces Montana in the second day of the Grand Canyon University Invitational. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. CT.

-NIU-