Final Stats

Loyola-NIU Box Score 

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A four-run fourth inning helped propel the Northern Illinois University softball team to a 6-2 victory over in-state rival Loyola in the championship game of the N.C. State DoubleTree RDU Challenge at Dail Stadium Sunday.

"I think that was the first perfect game we've put together," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "All three facets of our game were going well. We came up a clutch a few times at the plate, Tara pitched a nice game and our defense had an error-free game."

The Huskies (12-7) pitching staff stepped up once again, this time it was NIU's Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover). The Huskie sophomore went the distance, allowing two runs on five hits and six base-on-balls, while striking out four to pick up the win.

"I think she was able to make a pitch when it mattered," Sutcliffe said of Thacker. "She had a huge strikeout with the bases loaded, which was pretty big. She did a nice job of jamming the hitters."

Already leading 2-0, after a run in the first and second inning, NIU's fourth-inning rally began with back-to-back walks by Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) and Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North). Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) doubled down the right field line to drive in Naegele.

Two batters later with the bases loaded and one out, Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) drove in her second run of the game when she coaxed a walk, scoring Howlett from third. After a pitching change and still with three one, Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill/St. Edward) collected an RBI when her walk drove in Woollard.

NIU's Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) capped the scoring in the inning as she reached on a fielder's choice. Jordyn Bowen (Libertyville, Ill./Grayslake) scored from third and gave the Huskies a commanding 6-0 advantage.

Loyola responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. However, those would be all the runs the Ramblers could muster.

NIU took an early 1-0 lead with a run, when Kossakowski, who led off the game with a walk and advanced to second on an illegal pitch, scored on a throwing error as Lamich tried to sacrifice her over. The Huskies tacked on another run in the bottom of the second on a on a Warren double to score Bowen from second.

"The bottom of the order provided a little bit of a spark," she said. "Jordyn was able to get on a few times and Warren was able to drive in a few runs. We were able to manufacture some runs, 1-9, which usually ends up in a victory."

The Huskies return to action Tuesday when NIU travels to Bules Creek, N.C. for a doubleheader with Campbell. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT with the second game to follow.

-NIU-