MEMPHIS – The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped its doubleheader on the first day of the Blues City Classic at the Memphis Softball Classic Friday.
The Huskies (5-7) suffered a 9-0 setback to North Alabama to open the day before falling to the host Memphis Tigers, 15-5. Both games ended in the fifth inning.
The big inning and cold bats proved to be an issue for the Huskies through the first eight innings of the day. NIU was held to one hit by Lions' pitcher Megan Garst in game one, while the defense committed three errors.
After falling behind 2-0 after the top of the first, North Alabama delivered the big blow in the top of the third with a four spot to go up 6-0. A run in the fourth and two more in the fifth proved too much to overcome for NIU.
NIU dug itself an early hole it could not climb out of against Memphis. Six runs in the first, four in the second and two more in the third gave the Tigers a 12-0 lead through three innings.
The Huskies scored a pair of runs in the top of the fourth on a pair of RBI doubles.
Anne Allen doubled to left to drive in
Kara Apato and
Kayla Scaperrotta doubled down the left field line to score Allen.
After Memphis stretched the lead to 15-2 with three runs in the fourth, the Huskie offense plated three more runs, including another RBI double by Scaperrotta. Scaperrotta led the way for the Huskies, going 2-for-3 on the day with two RBIs.
"Obviously we need to play a little bit better," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "Our pitching staff needs to do a better job of hitting their spots and do a better job of keeping us in the game. This team has a solid air about them knowing we can it and get it done. We're going to bounce back tomorrow."
The Huskies are back in action Saturday when NIU faces Evansville at 9 a.m. CT. Fans can follow all the action via live stats on NIUHuskies.com.
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