Final Stats

NIU 6-Toledo 7 Box Score 

NIU 7-Toledo 8 Box Score 

TOLEDO, Ohio -- The Northern Illinois University softball team's bats came alive, however the defense struggled as the Huskies were swept in their weekend series at Toledo at Scott Park Saturday.

The Huskies (32-16, 12-8) committed five errors in the final two games of the series. NIU suffered a 7-6 loss in 10 innings to Toledo in game two Saturday, which was continued from Friday, and an 8-7 setback in the series finale. Of the eight Rocket runs scored in game three, seven came with two outs and six were earned.

"We just didn't play good enough defense this weekend," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "All three games were lost on plays we can make. Our pitchers hung in there. It was nice to see our offense come alive in the last game."

After dropping the series opener, 2-1, in eight innings on Friday, the Huskies raced out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning of game two. An RBI double by Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana), bases loaded walk by Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) and an RBI single by Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) gave NIU a 3-0 lead with one out. Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington) delivered the big blow in the inning, driving in a pair on a single to center and capping the scoring for the inning.

However, Toledo (18-31, 9-11) responded with a run in the bottom of the first and pulled to within a run in the bottom of the second with three runs in the inning. All three Toledo runs came after two outs and a Huskie error.

With two outs and a runner on first in the second inning, Ashley Rausch reached on an error by Woollard. The next batter walked, loading the bases for Sammy Emery who then cleared the bases with a triple to right field.

A sacrifice fly by Grable in the top of the fourth gave the Huskies a two-run cushion. Unfortunately it could've been more as the Huskies left the bases loaded in the inning. However, Toledo came back with a run in the bottom of the inning and tied the game in the seventh. Once again, the Huskie defense committed a costly error with two outs, helping Toledo score the tying run.

Neither team plated a run in the eighth or ninth innings. The game was suspended due to darkness and resumed Saturday morning. After NIU went down in order in the top 10th, Toledo picked up the victory on a one-out single.

The Huskies used the long ball in the series finale to open up a 4-1 lead through the first two-and-a-half innings. Dominique Greeno (Lacy,Wash./North Thurston) and Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) hit two-run homers in the second and third innings, respectively. Naegele tied NIU's single-season record for RBIs on that swing, which she set last year. Unfortunately for NIU, Toledo did what they have done all weekend, battled back.

The Rockets pulled within a run in the bottom of the third on a two-out RBI double by Samantha Showalter. Toledo tied the game on a two-out RBI single by Jessica Lemieux in the bottom of the fourth.

NIU had an opportunity to blow the game wide open in the top of the fifth, but were unable to capitalize. Grable led off the frame with a solo shot to left field to put NIU up 5-4. After a Naegele walk, a sacrifice bunt and strike out, the Huskies loaded the bases when Woollard and Greeno reached on walks. However, Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North), who came in to pinch hit, flied out to left to end the inning.

Toledo came back in the bottom of the fifth with two runs and some help of the Huskie defense. After Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) retired the first two batters of the inning, Brittany George reached on infield single to keep the inning alive. An error by Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) allowed the tying run to score. The Rockets then took the lead on an infield single.

The Huskies responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth with RBI single by Naegele and an RBI double by Warren. NIU carried a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

As they have done all weekend, Toledo rallied. Once again, all the Rocket runs came with two outs. With runners at first and second, George doubled to right field, clearing the bases and giving Toledo an 8-7 advantage.

NIU returns to action Wednesday when the Huskies travel to Valparaiso for a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 2 p.m. CT with the second game to follow. Both games will be shown live on ESPN3.

-NIU-