MOBILE, Al.—Caitlyn Shumaker (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) recorded four stolen bases in action today as the Northern Illinois University Huskies split action at the South Alabama tournament.
The Huskies (3-6) defeated the UAB Blazers 5-1 before falling to South Alabama, 8-4.
This was the fourth meeting between UAB and the Huskies. The Huskies and Jaguars met for the first time in their programs' histories.
"We had a good bounce back day and attacked early in both games. Danielle (Dee Dee) Stewart is coming back after a great freshman year and is off to a great start in her sophomore season," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe "Our runners were able to get in motion and that helped us score a lot of runs. We are continuing to play our ball, regardless of the opponent."
UAB Recap (UAB 1, NIU 5)
After a scoreless first inning for the Huskies, Shumaker recorded the first hit of the game in the second inning, a double to right-center field. Shumaker stole third base before crossing home plate on a fielding error by the Blazers.
Shumaker doubled the Huskies lead in the fifth inning, scoring as
Cara Cruthers (Barlett, Ill./South Elgin) reached on a fielding error.
The Blazers of UAB added their lone run in the top of the sixth, scoring on a bunt.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Ellis Erickson (Lutz, Fla./Freedom) recorded the first hit before recording the first stolen base of the inning for the Huskies.
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) hit an RBI single to bring Erickson across home plate. Stewart recorded the second stolen base of the inning before advancing to third on Shumaker's sacrifice fly.
Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) scored on the play before Stewart scored on
Ally Rodriguez's (Romeoville, Ill./Plainfield East) RBI single to left center field.
In the pitcher's circle for the Huskies, Stewart went all seven innings, struck out eight batters, and issued no walks.
South Alabama Recap (South Alabama 8, NIU 4)
The Huskies got two on the bases quickly as
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) singled through the right side and
Courtney James (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) walked. Erickson reached on an error by the Jaguars and Turner scored the first run of the game. James scored on Stewart's RBI sacrifice fly before Erickson scored on Schumaker's RBI single.
The Jaguars quickly cut into the Huskies' lead, scoring two runs off one hit in the bottom of the first inning before tying the game in the second.
Cruthers scored off on Turner's RBI single in the top of the fourth inning before the Jaguars added a run of their own to keep the game tied at four.
The Jaguars took the lead for the first time in the sixth frame, scoring four runs to secure the victory.
Huskie Notes
- The Huskies recorded three stolen bases in the sixth inning (Stewart, Erickson, Rodriguez) across UAB.
- Shumaker and Rodriguez teamed up for three stolen bases in the first inning against South Alabama as the final stolen base did come until the fourth inning (Cruthers).
- Shumaker is six stolen bases away from tying the NIU All-Time stolen base record, set from 1997-2000 by Jill Carpenter (59 career stolen bases).
- Shumaker was the only Huskie to record a hit in both games today.
- The Huskies had a combined nine stolen bases and nine strikeouts in today's games.
The Huskies conclude action in South Alabama, facing off against fellow MAC school, Central Michigan on February 18. The Huskies and the Chippewas are set for first pitch at 9 a.m.
