BUFFALO – The Northern Illinois University softball team split its doubleheader at Buffalo at Nan Harvey Field on Saturday afternoon.
After dropping the first game, 5-0, NIU's (16-27, 10-17) offense unloaded and capitalized on some shoddy Buffalo (16-28, 14-15) defense to take the nightcap, 11-4.
The Huskies took a 2-0 lead in the first when
Courtney James, who walked to lead off the inning and stole second, scored on a Buffalo error on an
Amberly Rodriguez infield single. An RBI groundout by
Kelly Walinski scored Rodriguez.
Two more Buffalo errors resulted in a three-run Huskie third and once again it was the top of the order doing the damage. With one out, James singled to center field, advanced to second on a Rodriguez single and stole third to move into scoring position for
Katie Keller. Keller drove her in with a sacrifice fly.
With one on and two outs, Walinski extended NIU's lead to 5-0 when she reached on an error by the Buffalo shortstop and came all the way around to score and an error by the Bulls' first baseman.
After Buffalo responded with two in the bottom of the third, but NIU broke the game wide open with four in the fourth.
Kara Apato singled up the middle to begin the rally, while
Ellis Erickson reached on an error by the Buffalo third baseman.
Sam Mallinder made the Bulls pay with a home run to left center field.
The Huskies added two more runs in the top of the seventh for good measure on pinch hit RBI doubles by
Jenna Nink and Maddie Mackie.
James manufactured NIU's fourth run of the inning when she reached on a single to center, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and stole home.
"In the second game, we were able to jump out quickly to a 2-0 lead and never look back," NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe said. "Courtney provided a great spark for our team in the leadoff position and Delaney pitched a gem."
NIU's 1-3 hitters went a combined 6-for-10 with two RBIs and five runs scored. James was 2-for-3 with three runs scored from the leadoff spot, while Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Delaney Ostrowski picked up the win, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out six in seven innings.
NIU concludes its series at Buffalo with a single game Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. Fans can find information on how to watch and follow the game on the softball schedule on NIUHuskies.com.
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