Grant Montgomery
Student Intern

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped a 4-2 decision against IUPUI at the Saluki Invitational at Charlotte West Stadium on Saturday. 
 
The Huskies (6-12) allowed a pair of runs in each of the first two innings, and their late rally came up short. 
 
The Huskie offense came out swinging as NIU notched two hits in the first inning. Unfortunately, the Huskies were unable to take advantage, as IUPUI was able to escape the jam with no harm done.  With one out in the frame, Anne Allen singled, but was thrown out at second on the play.  Katie Keller doubled with two outs, but was stranded when Kayla Scaperrotta struck out to end the inning.
 
The Huskies ran into trouble in the bottom of the first.  With two outs in the inning, and McKenzie Loge on first via a walk, Amber Pagan singled to left field.  Both runners advanced on a passed ball setting up second and third with two outs. Rachel Gregory plated two runs, both unearned, with a single of her own.
 
IUPUI added on two more unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning, concluding the day for starter Amber Bumbalogh.  She was on the wrong end of some tough luck as she allowed four runs, all unearned, while scattering six hits and striking out one across her two innings of work. 
 
Sam Mallinder came in to pitch in relief and kept the Huskies in the game.  She allowed one hit in four innings of work. 
 
The NIU bats showed some life late in the contest when Mallinder helped her own cause in the fifth inning of the contest with a solo home run.
 
"Sam did a great job keeping us in the game and getting us on the board offensively," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We hit the ball hard today, just at the defense."
 
The Huskies added one more run in the sixth inning.  Kara Apato singled to open the frame and advanced to second when Keller drew a one-out walk.  Maddie Mackey reached on a fielder's choice, sending Apato to third, while retiring Keller on the play.  Mackey was then pinch ran for by Danielle Williams and Apato stole home on a double steal.
 
That would be as close as NIU would get. After a scoreless seventh by the Jaguars, the Huskies were retired in order in their half of the frame.
 
NIU softball is back in action at the Saluki Invitational on Sunday for games against DePaul University, and a rematch against the Jaguars. First pitch for game one versus DePaul is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT with the IUPUI contest to follow. Livestats will be available on NIUHuskies.com.
 
-NIU-