Final Stats

NIU-MSU Box Score 

NIU-SEMO Box Score 

ST. LOUIS – The Northern Illinois University softball team saw its modest five-game winning streak snapped as the Huskies split their doubleheader in the Cancer Awareness Tournament at the Billikin Sports Center Saturday.

NIU (8-5) extended its winning streak to five with a 9-1 victory over Missouri State in the first game of the day before seeing it end to Southeast Missouri State, 6-3, in the nightcap.

“We’ve been able to manufacture runs, 1-9, obviously,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “I think that was the difference between the first game and the second game. We weren’t really able to get anything going in the second game. We weren’t able to get the momentum or get a rally going in the second game.”

The Huskie bats were hot in the first game of the day. NIU scored nine runs on nine hits and four base on balls in its five-inning victory over the Bears. Like yesterday, it was the top of the line up providing much of the offense. NIU’s 1-4 batters were a combined 6-for-10 with seven RBIs and seven runs scored.

Huskie lead-off batter Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) paced the Huskie line up, going 3-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored. Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) provided much of the pop in the three hole, going 2-for-2 with four RBIs and two runs scored.

While the Huskies’ winning streak was stopped, Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) extended her hitting streak to 11. The Huskie senior was 1-for-3 in the first game, a two-run homer, and another 1-for-3 showing in game two.

As has been the case for much of the last four games, the Huskies scored early and often in the first game. NIU scored three runs in the top of the first, with the one-two punch of Grable and Naegele. A one-out double by Grable scored the Huskies’ first run, while Naegele followed with a two-run homer.

After an RBI single by Kossakowski gave NIU a 4-0 lead, the Huskies delivered the big blow of the game in the top of the fourth. Once again, it was one of the Huskies’ big bats coming through. With the bases loaded and one out, Grable cleared the bases with a double to left field. She later scored on a Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill/Lincoln-Way East) double.

Haley Wroten’s (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) homer in the top of the fifth capped NIU’s scoring and proved to be the game winning. Missouri State scored a run in the fifth, but that is all the Bears would get.

Freshman Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) continued her strong season in the circle. She improved to 4-1, allowing one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out five in NIU’s victory over MSU. That Bears run came in the bottom of the fifth with the Huskies up 9-0.

Southeast Missouri State were able to do what NIU’s previous five opponents couldn’t, slow down the Huskie offense. The Huskies were held to three runs on six hits in the loss.

After SEMO took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, NIU came back with two runs in the top of the second. Trailing 3-2 in the top of the fifth, NIU tied the game, 3-3, on a Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) homer to center field.

However, the Redhawks responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Unfortunately, NIU was unable get back on the board.

“I think we actually just got out-hit,” Sutcliffe said. “I didn’t really think any aspect of our game played exceptionally well in the last game. Ultimately we got out-hit.”

The Huskies wrap up play in the tournament Sunday, when NIU faces host Saint Louis in its final game of the Cancer Awareness Tournament. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT.

-NIU-