RICHMOND, KY. – The Northern Illinois University softball team used a walk-off single to defeat Western Carolina, 5-4, in the second day of the EKU Invitational on Saturday. 

With a runner at second with two outs, senior Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind. /New Castle) singled up the middle to drive in Keegan Hayes (Naperville, Ill. /Naperville Central) from second to give the Huskies the win. Woollard went 2-for-3 in the game with a single and a double. 

The Catamounts got on the board first after a first-inning homer to give Western Carolina the 1-0 lead. 

That lead was short lived as the Huskie (5-13) offense exploded for four runs in the forth.  Junior Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill. /Willowbrook) smacked a two-run double to drive-in sophomore Kayla Scaperrotta (Margate, Fla. /Coral Springs Carter School) and senior Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill. /Burlington Central).  On the next play, Schmidt, who advanced to third on her double, scored when the Western Carolina pitcher threw a wild pitch to give NIU a 3-0 lead. 

The Huskies continued their potent offensive attack in the inning.  After Woollard doubled and junior Dominique Greeno (Lacey Wash. /North Thurston) singled to left field, junior outfielder Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill. / Naperville Central) hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Woollard and giving the Huskies a 4-1 advantage.

"Sam and Woo [Woollard] were huge tonight offensively and came up clutch throughout the whole game," said NIU head softball coach Christina Sutcliffe. 

Western Carolina tied the game at four with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. 

Defense and pitching kept the Huskies in the game.  Senior Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/ North Canton Hoover) hurled five-and-a-third innings scattering five hits and struck out five.  Junior Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo. /Oakville) came to relieve Thacker and notched the win for the Huskies.  Frenz pitched one-and-two-thirds innings of no-hit softball. 
"Tara and Alex put together a great game," said Sutcliffe.  "Alex has been doing a phenomenal job in relief all weekend.

"Jenny [Van Geertry] continues to rob hit after hit in the outfield and making catches to get us off the field."   

The Huskies conclude the EKU Invitational with a pair of rematches.  NIU will face-off against Western Carolina at 1:30 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky at 4:30 p.m.  All times are Central. 
 
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