DeKALB, Ill. – Kelly Walinski's (Worth, Ill./Marist) grand slam in game three of the Northern Illinois University softball team's home series with Western Michigan propelled the Huskies to an 8-4 win after falling 5-4 in game two Wednesday at Mary M. Bell Field.
"I think we needed that win in the worst way," said head NIU coach
Christina Sutcliffe after the win. "Obviously, things haven't been going our way as of late, so to be able to come out after they took the lead back and Kelly (Walinski) having the huge hit, big time for them. This this huge,"
DH Game One | NIU 4, WMU 5
Before the game-winning grand slam, Western Michigan took the series win after edging NIU 5-4 in game two-of-three.
The Huskies had a two-run lead in the second inning after
Ellis Erickson (Lutz, Fla./Freedom) logged a sac fly, scoring
Sam Mallinder (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) who doubled earlier in the frame.
Cara Cruthers (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin) followed with an RBI double to left center which allowed
Kiley Conner (St. John, Ind./Lake Central) to plate a run after she singled to left center.
WMU plated a run in the top of the third, but NIU matched in the bottom of the inning when Mallinder drove in Walinski after she singled up the middle.
A big fifth inning from the Broncos propelled them in front 4-3, but the Huskies tied the contest 4-4 in their at-bat when Mallinder recorded her second RBI of the ballgame, scoring
Caitlyn Shumaker (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine).
WMU notched the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh with an RBI double. NIU was unable to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as WMU took the 5-4 win.
Notes
- Western Michigan scored five runs off nine hits and had two errors
- NIU scored four runs off seven hits and had no errors
- Mallinder led in the batter's box going 2-4 with two RBI
- Pitcher Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was credited with the loss
DH Game Two | NIU 8, WMU 4
The Huskies notched a come-from-behind win to have the last say in the series. Although WMU scored first in the opening inning, NIU posted three runs in the fourth to claim a 3-1 lead.
Cruthers laid down a perfect bunt single while an errant throw to first base allowed Conner to give the Huskies their first run. In the next at-bat, Erickson grounded out to the shortstop, but that allowed Stewart to score from her position on third base after walking earlier. NIU capped the inning with Shumaker's RBI single to score Cruthers, giving NIU a 3-1 advantage.
The Broncos wouldn't go away though as they regained the lead with a bases-clearing, three RBI double in the fifth frame.
With its back against the wall, NIU dug deep and sparked a five-run sixth inning to swing momentum its way.
Courtney James (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) drew a bases-juiced walk to start things off before Walinski, on the first pitch of the at-bat, drilled a grand slam over the left center fence, corralling the Broncos.
"I don't know if it comes bigger than that. We really needed a punch-back. She's [Walinski] been the catalyst of this offense all year long. So, for to be able to do that and get more than one run in the inning was big time."
The Huskies' defense stranded two base runners in the seventh inning, sealing the 8-4 triumph.
Notes
- NIU scored eight runs off 11 hits and had one error
- Western scored four runs off 11 hits and had one error
- Eight Huskies posted at least one hit in the win
- Conner led with a perfect 3-3 performance, logging a new career-high (hits)
- Walinski's four RBI was also a career-high
- Pitcher Emily Dato (Munster, Ind./Munster) entered the game in the top of fifth, logging her fifth win of 2023
Up Next
NIU Will return to action this weekend (April 29-30) for its final regular season road series. The Huskies will play a doubleheader with Buffalo Saturday starting at noon CT before a single game will close the series Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.
