Softball | March 27

DeKALB, Ill. – After sweeping Miami last weekend, the Northern Illinois University softball team looks to keep its momentum rolling as the team takes on Ball State tomorrow (March 28) and Wednesday (March 29) on the road.

WHEN AND WHERE
A doubleheader will kick off the three-game series Tuesday with start times set for noon and 2 p.m. CT at First Merchants Ballpark Complex. The doubleheader will stream live to Ball State's website for free.

On Wednesday, the two teams will close the series at noon CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Live stats will be available for all games as well.

THE HISTORY
In a series that dates to 1981, the Huskies lead the Cardinals 51-36. In their most recent meeting last season, NIU won 13-9 behind a seven-run fifth inning on April 6, 2022.

LAST TIME OUT
NIU (13-12, 4-1 MAC) is fresh off a series-win over defending MAC Champions Miami (14-12, 2-4 MAC) last weekend. The Huskies won three-straight games to propel themselves into a two-way tie for the league's top spot with Ball State.

The Huskies won the series opener in a defensive duel 3-2 before taking both ends of Sunday's doubleheader 7-6 and 7-2, respectively.

Freshman pitcher Danielle Stewart picked up a pair of wins plus a save in her three appearances. Stewart pitched 15.0 innings and logged two complete games for a low ERA of 2.33. She tied her career-high of seven strikeouts in game three after racking up six and two in games one and two, respectively, for a grand total of 15.

Kelly Walinski led at the dish batting .500 while slugging .900. The shortstop had a team-high three RBI and five hits, including a double and a solo homer, through her three starts. Quick on the base paths, Walinski swiped one bag and gained nine total when base running.

Caitlyn Shumaker notched a pair of stolen bases to make her season total 17, the highest in the league.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Ball State (14-12, 4-1 MAC) enters the series after sweeping Central Michigan (10-16, 0-3 MAC) last weekend. Ball State won its three games at home with a combined 20 runs.

Haley Winn has the best batting average in the MAC at .468. She also leads the conference in runs scored with 26. In the circle, Angelina Russo has a team-low ERA of 3.48 with 42 Ks through the season.

LOOKING AHEAD
NIU will return home this weekend (April 1-2) for a three-game series with CMU at Mary M. Bell Field.