Final Stats

UMKC-NIU Box Score 

ST. LOUIS – The Northern Illinois University softball team opened play in the Cancer Awareness Tournament in a big way with a 12-1 victory over UMKC at the Billikin Sports Center Friday night.

NIU’s victory over the Roos was the fourth straight and sixth win in its last seven games.

The Huskies (7-4) scored early and often against UMKC pitching. In the process, Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana), who entered the season tied for the Huskie career home run record, put herself ahead with her first home run of the season.

“Kayti works hard, always has, always will,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “She’s battled through some injuries here, slowed her down just a little bit. She works really hard at her game. It’s nice to see that it pays off for her.”

After falling behind 1-0 after a two-out RBI single in the top of the first, the Huskie offense erupted with a five spot in the bottom of the frame. Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) singled to left to begin the rally. She quickly scored on a Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill/Naperville Central) double to right center. Lamich would score on a wild pitch to give NIU a 2-1 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.

Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) extended her hitting streak to 10 games with a single to right. A hit batter, a fly out and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston). Greeno put the ball in play and reached on a fielding error to clear the bases and extend NIU’s lead to four runs.

NIU tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and one out, Greeno drove in a run when she reached on a fielder’s choice. Kossakowski delivered the big hit of the inning with the bases loaded and two outs. The Huskie lead-off hitter singled to center to drive in a pair and make the score 8-1 Huskies.

The Huskies salted the game away in the following inning, scoring four runs in the frame. With Lamich on first after a lead-off single, Grable belted her first homer on the season, and 25th of her career, giving NIU a 10-1 advantage with no outs. The Huskies added two more runs before the inning ended.

Staked with a four run lead after the first inning, Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) was more than effective from the circle. The Huskie freshman allowed one run on four hits, while striking out seven in five innings. She improved her record to 3-1.

“Alex is doing really well,” Sutcliffe said. “This week she worked on some things that weren’t working for her from the prior weekend. I think she made that adjustment today and hopefully she can keep rolling with that.”

Kossakowski and Lamich led the way for the NIU offense. The Huskies’ No.1 and 2 batter each went 2-for-3. Kossakowski drove in two and scored a run, while Lamich had an RBI and two runs scored. Naegele also went 2-for-3.

“Kali and Katie set the tone right away to start the game off,” she said. “Kali laced a single and we were able to steal with her. Then Katie followed up with a huge double for us to get us on board quickly. I think those two setting the tone of the game got us rolling.”

The Huskies return to action Saturday, when NIU plays a doubleheader in the Cancer Awareness Tournament hosted by Saint Louis. The Huskies will face Missouri St. at 1 p.m. and Southeast Missouri State at 3 p.m. All times Central.

-NIU-