MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University softball team dispatched of Central Michigan, 11-0, in five innings in the series opener at Margo Yonker Stadium on Friday.
After jumping on top, 1-0, on a
Carley Goetschius double in the first inning, NIU (12-21, 6-11) erupted with a four-run third.
Megan Guericke led off the inning by a hit by pitch. After two quick outs,
Katie Keller and Goetschius were each walked on four straight pitches to load the bases for
Bianca Barone. The Huskie third baseman blasted a grand slam to give the Huskies a 5-0 lead.
NIU tacked on another run in the top of the fourth. With a runner second and one out, Guericke singled to center to drive in
Mackenzie Mahy.
The Huskies salted the game away in the top of the fifth with another big inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Mahy walked to drive in the inning's first run. Guericke drove in two more with a single to right to give NIU a 9-0 advantage.
Kelly Walinski added a pair of insurance runs with a single through the left side.
Huskie starter
Claire Norred held Central Michigan (4-19, 2-11) in check allowing four hits and a walk, while striking out four to pick up her seventh victory of the season.
The middle of the lineup continues to provide the pop for the Huskies. Keller went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored in the three hole, while Goetschius was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored from the clean-up spot. Barone went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
"Today was a total team win with all three aspects of our game playing well," NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe said. "Claire [Norred] kept the momentum on our side by getting us out of a tough spot in the first inning. Bianca [Barone] had a huge grand slam to bust the game open for us and to never look back."
The Huskies continue their series with Central Michigan with a doubleheader on Saturday. Fans can find all the information to follow this weekend's games on NIUHuskies.com.
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