Final Stats

RMC-NIU Box Score 

GW-NIU Box Score 

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Northern Illinois University softball team swept its final two games of the Blue/Gold Challenge hosted by UNC Greensboro Saturday.

“Overall, our team performed well in all three phases of the game this weekend,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “Keegan, Alex and Tara did a nice job today.”

The Huskies (19-7) blanked Robert Morris, 8-0, in the first game. However, NIU saw its 19-inning shutout streak come to an end in a 4-2 win over George Washington. With the victory, NIU extended its season-long winning streak to 11 games.

“In the first game, we were able to keep our offense rolling,” Sutcliffe said. “In the second game, we needed to rely on our defense to get out of some tough situations. The middle of the lineup continues to through for us while the top and bottom set the table.”

A four-run third and a strong pitching performance from Keegan Hayes (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) keyed NIU’s 8-0 win over Robert Morris. NIU got production throughout the lineup, as three Huskies had multi-RBI games.

Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington) led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3, including a home run, with three RBIs and a run scored. Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

Already up, 1-0, on a Harnish RBI single, in the second, NIU put up a four-spot in the bottom of the third. Grable drove in a pair on a single to centerfield. With the bases loaded and two outs, Warren doubled to right field to drive in two more and give NIU a 5-0 advantage.

The Huskies scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the win. Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) led off the inning with her 10th home run of the season and third of the weekend when she hit a solo shot over the left centerfield fence. Harnish ended the game for NIU when she blasted a two-run homer to centerfield.

Hayes was solid in the circle allowing five hits, no walks and striking out two in five innings of work to improve to 5-1.

In game two, which was shortened due to weather and time constrictions, the Huskie offense continued to score when it mattered and the Huskie pitching staff ground out another strong performance against George Washington.

NIU took a 1-0 lead after a RBI single by Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) in the first. GW tied the game in the top of the third with a leadoff home run, the first run allowed by the Huskies since the seventh inning or the first game of the tournament against Elon.

NIU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and one out, Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) coaxed a walk to drive in a run. Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) then singled through the right side to score Grable.

The Colonials pulled to within a run, 3-2, on a RBI double in the top of the fourth. Grable gave NIU an insurance run when she doubled in Lamich. The game was then ended.

Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) and Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) combined to allow two runs on eight hits, two walks and striking out six in the win. Thacker improved to 5-4 on the season as she picked up the win.

The Huskies return to action Friday, Mar. 25 when NIU travels to Bowling Green for its Mid-American Conference opener. First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 2 p.m. CT

-NIU-