MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University softball team's offense exploded for 22 runs and 26 hits in a doubleheader sweep of Central Michigan at Margo Jonker Stadium Saturday.
NIU (24-22, 9-8) pounded out 15 hits and took advantage of seven Chippewa (18-23-1, 8-6-1) errors to post a 13-6 victory in game one. The Huskie bats stayed hot in a five-inning 9-0 victory in game two. The big inning, this time in favor NIU, proved the difference in both games.
"Our offense was tough to beat today," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We did a good job of driving the gaps and capitalizing on some mistakes. All three aspects of our team stepped up when we needed to come out with two wins."
A six-run third inning propelled the Huskies in game one. With the score tied, 1-1, and one out and a runner at second, Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) doubled to right field to drive in Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) and give the Huskies a lead they would not relinquish.
Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) broke the game wide open after Kira Mickelson (Wheatland, Wis./Westosha) reached on an error to load the bases. Howlett singled to drive in two more runs.
Three batters later, with two outs and the bases loaded, NIU took advantage of another Chippewa error. Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) reached on a fielder's choice as the CMU shortstop threw the ball away trying to throw out Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston) at second. Mickleson scored on the play giving NIU a 4-1 lead.
Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) capped the inning's scoring with a two-RBI single. Howlett extended NIU's lead to 7-1 on an RBI single in the fourth.
After Central Michigan scored two runs in the fourth and fifth, the Huskies came back with three runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to seal the win. Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) improved to 9-8, allowing five runs, two earned on six hits and two base on balls.
The Huskie offense continued its tear in game two and the defense was solid behind starter Mackenzie Bryan (Elwood, Ind./Elwood) as NIU recorded its sixth shutout of the season. Bryan allowed two hits and a walk, while recording one strike out as she improved to 13-11.
NIU tallied 11 hits in game two with Schmidt leading the way. The Huskie senior went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. All of Schmidt's RBIs came on one swing in NIU's seven-run third. With the bases loaded, two out and four runs already in in the inning, Schmidt doubled to center field to give NIU an 8-0 lead.
Greeno gave NIU an insurance run in the top of the fifth with an RBI fielder's choice.
The Huskies return to action Tuesday, April 30 when NIU welcomes Valparaiso to Mary M. Bell Field for a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m., with game two to follow. Fans can watch all the games live on NIUTube or follow via live stats on NIUHuskies.com.
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