Final Stats

NIU 12-BSU 4 Box Score 

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Northern Illinois University softball team used the long ball to defeat Ball State, 12-4, and sweep the season series at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex Wednesday afternoon.

NIU (27-11, 8-3) hit a season-high three home runs in the game, the fifth time this season the Huskies hit that mark. The Huskies broke the school’s single-season home run record in the process as NIU’s home run total sits at 46 in 2016.

“We did a good job of adjusting to both pitchers,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “We left a few too many runners left on base. Kayti had a great day offensively and Caitlyn and Kali added with the long ball.”

Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana), Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) and Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) each went yard. Grable had the biggest day at the plate for the Huskies, as the junior first baseman went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBIs and two runs scored.

“Kayti seems to hit Ball State pretty well,” Sutcliffe said. “She hit them pretty well at our place. She’s kind of been in a groove lately minus Akron. She’s done a good job of spraying the ball around.”

Kossakowski continues to set the table from the leadoff spot. The Huskie junior went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

The Huskies raced out to an early 7-1 lead in the first inning and a half. NIU put up a three spot in the first, courtesy of Grable’s three-run homer. In the second, with the score 3-1 NIU, two run doubles by Grable and Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) extended the Huskie lead to six, 7-1.

Ball State (18-23, 4-8) cut into that deficit in the second, scoring three runs off starter Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville). However, that would be as close as the Cardinals would get. Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) came in to pitch in relief for Frenz shut down the Ball State offense. Thacker allowed just two hits and five walks as she held the Cardinals scoreless for the final five innings.

“Tara did a great job,” she said. “She pitched her way out of two tough innings. She was able to get the outs when she needed to and pick Alex up.”

After two scoreless innings from NIU, Kossakowski belted her second homer of the season, a two-run shot, to extend the Huskies advantage to 9-3. She was also a big factor in a three-run sixth for NIU that ended the game.

With a runner at second and two outs, Kossakowski singled to center, driving in Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central). Warren drove her home and ended the game when she drove a homer to centerfield to give NIU an eight-run lead, 12-4.

The Huskies return home to face Western Michigan in a three-game series at Mary M. Bell Field Friday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT with a doubleheader Saturday. Fans can watch the games live on NIUTube and follow all the action live via Gametracker at NIUHuskies.com.

-NIU-