Final Stats

NIU 0-Akron 1 Box Score 

NIU 4-Akron 2 Box Score 

AKRON, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University softball team split its doubleheader with Akron at Lee Jackson Field Friday.

The Huskies (26-11, 7-3) took game two, 4-2, after dropping the first game to Akron (19-17-1, 3-4-1), 1-0.

NIU’s Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) was on the short end of a pitcher’s duel in game one. The Huskie freshman turned in another stellar outing, throwing six scoreless and hitless innings. However, that run came to an end in the bottom of the seventh.

Akron centerfielder Savannah Fruin led off the inning and tallied the Zips’ lone hit of the day. She deposited Frenz’ offering over the left field fence to give Akron the win.

Unfortunately for Frenz, the Huskie offense was held in check by Akron pitcher Erin Seiler. Seiler, who leads the league with an ERA of 1.63, blanked the Huskies on three hits and two walks in seven innings of work. Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana), Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) and Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) each recorded a hit for NIU in the first game.

With a second look at Frenz, who started game two, Akron jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Once again it was Fruin providing the pop, belting a lead off home run over the right field fence. NIU came back to tie the game in the top of the second with an RBI double from Allaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle).

Akron threatened in the bottom of the second, loading the bases, and third inning, moving a runner all the way to third. However, the Huskies were able to get out of those jams unscathed.

After keeping the Zips off the scoreboard, the Huskies offense came alive in the top of the fourth. Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) gave NIU its first lead of the day when she went opposite field, hitting a pinch-hit two-run homer over the left field fence to give NIU a 3-1 advantage.

“Abby’s pinch hit was huge,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “That gave us a lot of momentum.”

The Huskies added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. With a runner on second and two outs, Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) doubled to score Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central). Akron came back with a run in the bottom of the inning, but that would be as close as the Zips would get.

Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover), who came in in relief to pitch for Frenz, picked up the win, allowing one run on four hits in five innings of work.

“Alex and Tara did a great job today in the circle and pitched well enough to get two wins,” Sutcliffe said. “Our offense needs to do a better job at the plate adjusting. Erin [Seiler] did a great job against us.”

The Huskies and Zips are scheduled to wrap up their three-game series Saturday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. CT. However, due to inclement weather in the area, that may change. Be sure to check NIUHuskies.com for any schedule changes.

-NIU-