VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Northern Illinois University softball team concluded its road and non-conference schedule splitting a doubleheader against the Valparaiso Crusaders at the Valpo Softball Complex on Wednesday. 
 
"I think our defense definitely played really well in that back half of the second game," said NIU head softball coach Christina Sutcliffe. "Harnish made a great play at second, Lamy [Katie Lamich] obviously in that last inning, snagging that ball in left, were huge plays for us."
 
The Huskies (19-29 9-10) dropped the first game, 5-3, before winning the nightcap, 8-4. 
 
The Huskies used power to defeat the Crusaders in the second game.  Valparaiso took the early lead, in the first, when Jaymee Lawton reached on an error driving in Carly Trepanier from third.  In the top of the second, the Huskies answered back.  With one out, senior Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill.  Burlington Central) singled.  Sophomore Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill. /Lincoln-Way Central) then hit a double off of the centerfield wall to score Harnish from first to tie the game, 1-1  The Crusaders then tacked on two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run double giving Valparaiso the 3-1 lead. 
 
 In the third, the Huskies answered back with a huge inning. Junior Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill. /Plainfield East) started the inning with a single and junior Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill. /Lincoln-Way East) clubbed her second home run of the day and sixth of the season to tie the contest, 3-3.  Later in the inning, sophomore Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash. /North Thurston) and senior Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind. /New Castle) both coaxed walks and senior Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill. /Burlington Central) reached on an error to load the bases.
 
 Junior Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill. /St. Charles North) then smashed a grand slam over the left field wall to give the Huskies their first lead of the day, 7-3.  After sophomore Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill. /Lincoln-Way Central) reached first on a dropped-third-strike, junior Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill. /Naperville Central) scorched a double over the left fielder's head to score Allen.  Huskies lead 8-3. 
 
"It was great to see two home runs by Jenny," said Sutcliffe.  "Sam and Abby, obliviously hit a grand slam, she is giving us a little spark here the last couple weeks." 
 
In the fourth inning, the Crusaders designated player Brenna Boyle hit a home run to left field.   The Huskies still led, 8-4, and Valparaiso would not get any closer.  The game has been called in the top of the sixth inning due to inclement weather. 
 
Senior Emma Ray (Verona, Wis. /Verona Area) pitched four solid innings in her first start of the season surrendering four runs on five hits.  Senior Keegan Hayes (Naperville, Ill. /Naperville Central) pitched an inning striking out one in relief.    
 
"Emma took advantage of her start," said Sutcliffe.  "We wanted to see some innings out of her and she did a nice job getting into the fourth."
 
The Huskies could not take advantage of an early opportunity to take the lead, in the first game.  In the second inning, Woollard singled and later stole second.  After a strikeout, sophomore Kayla Scaperrotta (Coral Springs, Fla. /Coral Springs Charter School) reached on an error by the shortstop, putting runners at first and second.  Howlett then singled to load the bases.  After another strikeout, Lamich grounded into a fielder's choice thus ending the threat. 
 
NIU had another scoring opportunity the next inning when Van Geertry got hit by a pitch to lead off.  After a ground out, a strikeout, and Van Geertry advancing on a wild pitch, Woollard walked and stole second.  With runners on second and third, Valparaiso pitcher Kenzie Grossman induced a Harnish ground out to end the inning. 
 
Valparaiso then, in the bottom of the second, took the early lead on a single by catcher Jenna Stauffenburg.  The Crusaders then added to their lead in the third when Valparaiso lead- off hitter Carly Trepanier splits the gap for an RBI double.  Later in the inning, designated player Brittany Anderson hit a two-run single and grew the Crusader's lead to 4-0. 
 
In the top of the fourth, Valparaiso centerfielder Taylor Lawson laid down a squeeze bunt to score right fielder Lanie Callaghan from third making the score 5-0 Crusaders.   The Huskies got on the board in the fifth inning when Van Geertry smacked a home run, closing the gap to 5-1 Crusaders. 
 
In the sixth, the Huskies had another scoring opportunity.  After a strikeout, sophomore Kalalaelisa Toomalatai (Imperial Beach, Calif. /Otay Ranch) and Howlett reach on an infield single.  After a double steal and a strikeout, Lamich struck out swing thus ending the threat.
 
In the seventh, after Van Geertry came aboard with a lead-off single, Greeno ripped a home run down the left field line to close the gap to 5-3.  Junior Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill. /Willowbrook) and Woollard followed up with singles putting runners on first and second.  After a couple strikeouts, Howlett flew out to center to end the game.
 
Hayes came into relieve freshman Mackenzie Bryan (Elwood, Ind. /Elwood) and threw two innings of shutout softball with two strikeouts.
 
"Keegan did a great job in relief all day today," said Sutcliffe.  "I do not she gave up a single run."
 
The Huskies come back home for senior weekend and the final series of the season against the Central Michigan Chippewas Friday.  First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Mary M. Bell Field. 
 
-NIU-