DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University softball team concluded its Mid-American Conference opening series on Sunday, losing 7-2, to the Miami University RedHawks at Mary M. Bell Field.
"In this game particularly, we just did not play good defense," said NIU head softball coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "On paper, I do not think all seven [runs] will be unearned and we just have to do a better job defensively."
Miami (13-12, 2-1 MAC) struck first and scored three runs in the second and a run in the third to take a 4-0 lead.
The Huskies (9-20, 1-2 MAC) got on the board in the top of the fourth. Junior
Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill. /Willowbrook) singled to lead off the inning and after a strikeout, sophomore
Kayla Scaperrotta (Coral Springs, Fla. /Coral Springs Charter School) singled with an error on the right fielder moving her to second and Scaperrotta to third. Senior
Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill. /Burlington Central) then stepped up and roped a two-run single to centerfield, cutting Miami's lead in half, 4-2.
"I am really up there to help my team and just foul off pitches until I can put a ball in play hard," said Harnish.
In the top of the sixth, The Huskies had the bases loaded with one out, but Miami starting pitcher Courtney Vierstra got freshman
Kira Mickelson (Wheatland, Wis. /Westosha Central) to pop out, and freshman
Katie Wingerter (Prospect Heights, Ill. /Hersey) to strike out swinging to end the threat. In the bottom half, Miami added three insurance runs to grow its lead to 7-2. The Huskies only scattered four hits against the RedHawks' starting pitcher Courtney Vierstra. Schmidt led the Huskies with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with two singles.
"We had some good at-bats and once again got runners in scoring position," said Sutcliffe.
Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo. /Oakville) came out of the bullpen and put in some good work. The Huskie junior went three innings and gave up one run on three hits.
"I think our pitchers did a decent job, they just did not have the defense behind them, " Sutcliffe added.
The Huskies are back to work on Tuesday at 3 p.m. when they host the Flames of UIC at Mary M. Bell Field for a nonconference matchup.
–NIU–
