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Dom Greeno
Scott Walstrom, NIU
2
Northern Illinois NIU 0-1
3
Winner San Jose State SJ 2-0
Northern Illinois NIU
0-1
2
Final
3
San Jose State SJ
2-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Northern Illinois NIU 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 4 1
San Jose State SJ 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 7 2

W: ULLEGUE (1-0) L: Bryan, Mackenzie (0-1)

7
Winner Northern Illinois NIU 1-1
3
Southeastern La. SLU 1-2
Winner
Northern Illinois NIU
1-1
7
Final
3
Southeastern La. SLU
1-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Northern Illinois NIU 2 1 0 0 4 0 0 7 7 2
Southeastern La. SLU 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 11 3

W: Goetschius, Carley (1-0) L: Bennett, Briahna (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball |

NIU Softball Splits Pair at Lion Classic I

Huskies fall to San Jose State, defeat host Southeastern Louisiana

HAMMOND, La. – The Northern Illinois University softball team split a pair of games in the first day of the Lion Classic I hosted by Southeastern Louisiana State Friday.

After suffering a 3-2 setback to San Jose State in the season opener, the Huskie (1-1) offense erupted in the second game of the day, defeating the host Lions, 7-3.

"That first game we played phenomenally well for six innings," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "Unfortunately we couldn't hold onto it. What makes softball so hard is you have to bounce back 20-30 minutes later and play another game.

"Scoring early [against Southeast Louisiana] definitely helped us in that second game."

A four-run fifth proved to be the difference in the game over Southeastern Louisiana (0-2). The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, however, the Lions tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.

NIU took a 3-2 lead on a RBI single by Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) in the top of the second.

The Huskies blew the game wide open in the top of the fifth. Allen began the inning reaching on an error by the second baseman. With runners at the corners with two outs, Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) coaxed a walk to load the bases for Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston). The Huskie senior blasted the team's first homer of the season, a grand slam, to right center to give NIU a 7-2 advantage.

"She had a pretty good first game. She had a triple in the first game coming out of that nine spot," Sutcliffe said of Howlett. "Within that at bat she was definitely seeing the ball. She fouled off several pitches, drew a long at bat and was able to succeed within it.

"We had great at bats for it being our first time out. We played some quality defense and took care of business."

Southeastern Louisiana mounted a rally in the bottom of the inning. After scoring on a two-out single, the Lady Lions loaded the bases. However, Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville), who came in to pitch in relief of Carley Goetschius, struck out Madison Watson to end the threat.

The Huskies weren't as fortunate against San Jose State. NIU carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to hold it. The Spartans took advantage of the Huskie defense, scoring two runs on a pair of Huskie errors.

NIU continues play in the Lion Classic I with a pair of games Saturday. The Huskies will face Mississippi Valley State at 11 a.m. and another contest with the Lady Lions at 1 p.m. CT.

-NIU- 

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