DEKALB, Ill. – A three-run double by Katie Lamich proved to be the difference as the Northern Illinois University softball team earned a 6-5 series opening win over Toledo at Mary M. Bell Field Friday.
All six of NIU's runs were scored with two outs and the Huskie pitching staff was able to avoid the big inning and pitch out of a pair of bases loaded jams.
With the score tied, 3-3, and the bases loaded with two outs, in the bottom of the fifth, Lamich poked a shot to the left centerfield gap to clear the bases and give NIU (19-20, 6-6) a 6-3 advantage.
"That was huge for us," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We were getting runner in scoring position a fair amount, we just couldn't get the hit even with one out. For her to come through was big. I think all our runs might have come with two outs. So big clutch hitting with two outs."
The Rockets (15-21, 4-5) responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, but Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville), who came in to pitch in relief for starter Mackenzie Bryan (Elwood, Ind./Elwood) in the top of the third, was able to limit the damage, stranding the tying and go ahead runs at third and second.
Toledo had a chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh, but once again, Frenz and the Huskie defense were able to keep the Rockets off the board. Brittany Davis led off the inning with a single to center and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a goundout. However, that would be as far as she would get as Kylie Norwood grounded out to Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) to end the threat.
Frenz improved to 7-7 on the season, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. Frenz and Bryan combined to strand 11 runners and left the bases loaded full of Rockets twice.
"Alex came in and threw up three zeros," Sutcliffe said of Frenz. "She kind of stopped their momentum and slow them down a little bit. That was a nice job. That's the thing with Alex and Kenzie. When one doesn't do so well, the other comes in and has her back."
After falling behind 3-1 after two Rocket runs in the first and another in the second, Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) tied the game with a two-run homer over the fight field fence.
Howlett finished the day going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Lamich went 1-for-2 with three RBIs.
The Huskies and Rockets conclude their series tomorrow with a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. with the second game to follow. Fans can watch all the games live via NIUTube and follow live stats on NIUHuskies.com.
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