CONWAY, S.C. – The Northern Illinois University softball team took both games on the first day of the Residence Inn Battle at the Beach Friday.
The Huskies (3-4) defeated Delaware State, 8-5, in game one before posting a 3-2 win over College of Charleston in game two.
"Today was a great day all around," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "We had some timely hitting, great defensive plays in tough situations, and our pitching staff made some amazing pitches with their backs against the wall."
Kira Mickelson led the way for the Huskies (3-4) at the plate, against Delaware State going 2-for-3 on the day with two RBIs and two runs scored, while
Kara Apato set the table for the rest of the NIU hitters going 3-for-5 with two runs scored from the lead-off spot.
The Huskies sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning.
Katie Keller opened the scoring when, with runners at first and second with no outs, doubled down the right field line to score Apato who led off the game with a single. Mickelson drove in the next run on a single to give NIU a 2-0 lead.
Keller scored when
Kelly Walinski reached on an error and Mickelson tallied the fourth run of the inning when she stole home on a double steal.
Amberly Rodriguez, who singled to center and advanced to third on a
Kayla Scaperrotta single to right, stole home for the fifth Huskie run.
After Delaware State responded with a run in the bottom of the second, Mickelson stole home in the top of the third and drove in Apato in the top of the fourth to give NIU a 7-1 advantage.
The Hornets pulled to within three with two runs in the fourth and another in the sixth. NIU added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Delaware State added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but that would be as close as they would get.
The big inning proved to be the difference for NIU in the nightcap against College of Charleston as well.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a sacrifice bunt by Scaperrotta scoring Apato, who led off the game with a single, from third.
The Huskies tacked onto their lead in the top of the fourth with a pair of insurance runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, senior
Anne Allen singled to center field to drive in Rodriguez and
Carley Goetschius.
College of Charleston came back with a run in the bottom of the frame, but that was all the Cougars could muster in the inning as they left the bases loaded. College of Charleston scored a run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Huskies would hold on for the win.
NIU returns to action Saturday when the Huskies face Jacksonville State at 8:30 a.m. and host Coastal Carolina at 10:45 a.m. CT. Live scoring will be available on NIUHuskies.com.
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