MADISON, Wis. – The Northern Illinois University Softball team extended its winning streak to seven games with 6-4 win over Big Ten foe Wisconsin at Goodman Diamond Tuesday.
A strong performance from
Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) in the pitcher's circle and a three-run seventh proved to be the difference for the Huskies (28-18) in their midweek victory over the Badgers (29-14)
"That was a gutsy pitching performance by Alex working out of some jams," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "Our offense did a great job being aggressive on the bases and capitalizing on clutch hits. Jordyn leading off the seventh was the difference maker for us pulling through."
After Wisconsin tied the game, 3-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, senior
Jordyn Bowen (Libertyville, Ill./Grayslake), who was pinch hitting for
Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East), singled up the middle to start the rally. While Van Geertry, who came back in to run for Bowen, was out at second,
Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) did reach a fielder's choice.
Rio advanced to second on a
Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central), putting a runner in scoring position for
Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) with one out. Grable delivered with a double to left center to drive in Rio and give NIU a 4-3 lead.
Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) coaxed a walk and the bases were loaded for
Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ill./New Castle).
Woollard singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Harnish and
Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston), who was pinch running for Grable, to extend the Huskie advantage to three runs. Harnish's run would prove big as the Badgers mounted a comeback in their last at bat.
With runners at the corners and two outs, Kelsey Jenkins' RBI single up the middle and pulled Wisconsin to with two runs. After Frenz loaded bases by hitting a batter, she got Brooke Wyderski to line out to
Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) to end the threat and the game.
Frenz improved to 12-6, allowing four runs while scattering 12 hits and four base on balls.
NIU returns to action Friday when the Huskies open a weekend set with Toledo. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT and fans can watch all the action live on NIUTube and can follow it through live stats all on NIUHuskies.com.
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