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Mackenzie Bryan
Scott Walstrom, NIU
3
Winner Miami MIAMI 19-12, 4-2 MAC
1
Northern Illinois NIU 16-19, 3-5 MAC
Winner
Miami MIAMI
19-12, 4-2 MAC
3
Final
1
Northern Illinois NIU
16-19, 3-5 MAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Miami MIAMI 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 4 0
Northern Illinois NIU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 1

W: VIERSTRA, Courtney (9-5) L: Bryan, Mackenzie (10-8)

Game Recap: Softball |

Huskies Drop Heartbreaker to Miami

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University softball team suffered a tough, 3-1, setback in the series opener against Miami at Mary M. Bell Field Friday.

With two on and one out, and the Huskies (16-19, 3-5) leading 1-0, Lily Wilmot launched a three-run homer of the left centerfield fence to give Miami (19-12, 4-2) its first lead of the game.

The RedHawks began the rally when Morgan Lott ripped a double down the left field line and dodged the tag of Dominique Greeno (Lacy, Wash./North Thurston). Mackenzie Bryan (Elwood, Ind./Elwood), who was pitching a one hitter up until the Lott double, hit the next batter to put two on.

Bryan, who flirted with a no hitter on Tuesday was impressive against Miami. She struck out six batters while walking only one. At one point, she retired 10 in a row and struck out the side in the top of the sixth.

"Unfortunately, one swing cost her the game," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "She really threw a gem minus the one kid. It's too bad for her."

Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North), who went 5-for-8 in a pair of games against Tuesday against Ball State, with two RBIs and three runs scored, drove in NIU's lone run of the game. With Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) on second and two outs, the Huskie junior delivered a single up the middle to score Van Geertry and give NIU a 1-0 first inning lead.

Unfortunately for NIU, Miami pitcher Courtney Viestra was as effective as Bryan. Viestra struck out 11 Huskies on the day and pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fifth. NIU stranded nine base runners on the day.

"We just didn't have good at bats with runners in scoring position," Sutcliffe said. "The strike outs, the quality at bats with runners on base was not where it needed to be at to win that game. Hopefully we can figure that out tomorrow and comeback with a win."

The Huskies continue their series with Miami with a doubleheader with the RedHawks at Mary M. Bell Field Saturday. First pitch for game one will start at 1 p.m. with game two to follow. Fans can watch all the games live via NIUTube and follow live stats on NIUHuskies.com.

-NIU- 

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