Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content
Team celebration
3
Valparaiso VALPO 5-22
9
Winner Northern Illinois NIU 11-21
Valparaiso VALPO
5-22
3
Final
9
Northern Illinois NIU
11-21
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Valparaiso VALPO 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 4 2
Northern Illinois NIU 0 2 7 0 0 0 X 9 15 1

W: Norred, Claire (6-11) L: Wathen, Madison (0-3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Big Inning Propels Huskies to Midweek Win

NIU wraps winning homestand

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University softball team concluded its five-game homestand with a 9-3 over Valparaiso at Mary M. Bell Field Wednesday.
 
"I think it was nice that we were able to pass the ball from one pitcher to the next, pass the bat from one hitter to the next," NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe said. "With 15 hits you're doing something right."
 
With the score tied, 2-2, heading into the bottom of the third, NIU (11-21) broke the game wide open with a seven spot in the bottom of the third.
 
With two on and no outs, Bianca Barone gave the Huskies a 3-2 lead with an RBI double down the left field line. Carley Goetschius, who reached on the second single of the inning, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kira Mickelson, with Barone advancing to third on the play.
 
A wild pitch allowed Barone to score and give the Huskies a 5-2 advantage. With a runner on third and two outs, Megan Guericke singled to left to give NIU a 6-2 lead. Later in the inning, with runners on first and second, Kelly Walinski cleared the bases with a double to left center field and came around to score on a double by Katie Keller, who led off the inning with a single.
 
The Huskies received production throughout the line up. Kara Apato provided a spark from the leadoff spot going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Keller went a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored from the three hole. Barone was 2-for-2 with and RBI and two runs scored from the five spot and Guericke provided the pop at the bottom of the order, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
 
Claire Norred picked up her sixth win of the season, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out three in three innings of work.
 
"That's three really good outings in a row from her," Sutcliffe said. "Hopefully she's finding her zone."
 
NIU returns to conference play this weekend when the Huskies travel to Central Michigan for a four-game series with the Chippewas starting Friday at 2 p.m. Central Time. Fans can find all the information to follow this weekend's games on NIUHuskies.com.
 
-NIU-
 
 
Print Friendly Version