BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Northern Illinois University softball team closed out play in the FAU First Pitch Classic falling to Indiana State, 4-1, on Sunday morning at FAU Stadium.
The Huskies (1-4) jumped out to an early lead against the Sycamores, but could not hang on as the fifth and sixth innings proved key in the contest.
NIU started things off in the first inning when
Anne Allen doubled to left center field and then came around to score on an RBI double by the Huskies' clean-up hitter
Kayla Scaperrotta.
Huskies starting pitcher
Delaney Ostrowski got off to a great start retiring the first six batters of the game. She got great help from her defense in the bottom of the first when
Mackenzie Mahy and
Megan Guericke teamed up to throw out a would be threat at second base after singling with two outs. However, Ostrowski ran into a bit of trouble when Cassie Thomerson sent a solo home run out to center field.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Ostrowski walked Thomerson to lead off the inning. After getting the first out on a fielder's choice, Grace Hunger hit a two run shot to left field scoring two runs to put the Sycamores ahead 3-1. This ultimately would prove to be the difference in the game.
The Huskies had a great opportunity in their half of the sixth inning but were unable to capitalize. With one out in the inning,
Katie Keller set the table by singling through the right side. Scaperrotta then walked, which was followed by a Carley Goetchius single to left field to load the bases. Unfortunately for NIU,
Kenny Litana lined into an inning ending double play.
The Sycamores added on one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the Huskies went quietly in seventh.
"We're fighting and continue to come together," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "Our offense just hasn't been able to string the hits along and capitalize in key situations. We look forward to getting into the rhythm of playing."
NIU looks to get back into the win column when the Huskies head to Conway, SC to take part in the Residence Inn Battle at the Beach hosted by Coastal Carolina Tournament Friday, Feb. 14.
-NIU-
