Final Stats

NIU-MU Box Score 

NIU-GCU Box Score 2 

PHOENIX -- The Northern Illinois University softball team swept its doubleheader on the second day of play at the GCU Invitational hosted by Grand Canyon University at Stapelton-Pierson Stadium Saturday.

The Huskies (5-4) defeated Montana, 13-3 in five innings in their first contest before beating the host Lopes, 10-6, avenging yesterday's loss to GCU. NIU pounded out 13 hits against the Grizzlies and 12 in the nightcap.

"They're just finally settling in," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe of the Huskie hitters. "They're getting into their groove and seeing some good pitches and being alittle more disciplined at the plate than they've been."

NIU utilized the long ball in its victory over Montana, belting three on the day. Senior Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) began the long-ball barrage with a two-run homer to cap off a three-run first inning.

Montana came back with two runs in the bottom of the first to make the score 3-2, NIU, heading into the top of the second.

The Huskies responded with a six-spot in the top of the third. With the bases loaded and no outs, Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) singled to right to drive in a run. A sac fly by Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central) gave NIU a 5-3 lead. Freshman Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) delivered the big blow when she hit a three-run homer. A two-out Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) single capped the six-run outburst and gave the Huskies a commanding 9-2 lead.

With the score 9-3 after the Grizzlies scored a run in the bottom of the second, NIU effectively put the game away in the third with a three more runs. Howlett drove in a runner on sac bunt and Allaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) connected on NIU's third round tripper of the day, a two-run shot, to give NIU a 12-3 lead.

A pair of big innings bookended NIU's victory over Grand Canyon. The Huskies jumped on top early with four runs in the first and closed out their win over the Lopes with a six-run seventh. With the score tied 4-4 after six innings, the Huskies, who had left nine runners on base in the first six innings, mounted a rally in their final at bat.

With one on and one out in the top of the seventh, Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston) tripled right to give NIU a 5-4 lead. She later scored on an error by the catcher when Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) reached on a fielder's choice.

Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) came up with the biggest hit of the inning with the bases loaded and two outs. Grable singled to left to drive in a pair and keep the inning alive for Naegele. The senior catcher delivered with a two-run triple to give NIU 10-4 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.

"We were leaving a lot of runners on base," Sutcliffe said. "We were finally able to break through in the seventh."

The Lopes would not go quietly. GCU came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning and had the tying run at the plate. With the bases loaded and two outs, Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) came in to pitch for freshman Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville). The Huskie sophomore got Newbury to fly out to end the threat and the game.

Frenz picked up the victory, allowing six runs on 15 hits and four walks.

"Alex threw well," she said. "She wasn't quite as sharp today as she was yesterday, but it was nice to still see her work with what she had and figure out how to get it done."

The Huskies wrap up play at the GCU Invitational Sunday with a rematch against Texas State. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. CT.

-NIU-