Softball | February 7

DeKALB, Ill.—The Northern Illinois University Huskies softball program is set to open the 2024 season at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa. The Huskies will face Western Illinois, Nebraska Omaha, Northern Iowa, Butler, and Drake from February 9-11, 2024.
 
"Each player, from the seasoned veterans to the rising newcomers, has a crucial role in our journey, and we're excited to see them shine on the diamond," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We look forward to beginning this weekend and are ready to compete and represent NIU."
 
NIU is set to have the first pitch at 9 a.m. on Friday, February 9, as they face Western Illinois. The Huskies have a 29-31 series record against the Leathernecks. The last meeting between the teams was on March 6, 2020, a 4-3 victory for the Huskies. The Leathernecks finished the 2023 season with a 9-36 record.
 
The Huskies will face Nebraska Omaha on February 10 at 3:30 p.m. This will be the second meeting between the squads as the Huskies claimed the first meeting, 2-1. The Mavericks went 33-17 in 2023.
 
Meeting the tournament hosts, NIU will take on Northern Iowa at 6 p.m. on February 10. The Huskies have a 4-1 record over Panthers, with the last meeting coming in 2007. The Panthers finished the 2023 season with a 39-12 record.
 
The Huskies will face two sets of Bulldogs on February 11 to conclude the tournament. The Huskies will take on the Bulter University Bulldogs at 9 a.m. in the 13th meeting between the programs. The Huskies hold a 12-1 series lead over Butler, with the last meeting coming in 2022.
 
Concluding the weekend, NIU takes on the Bulldogs of Drake University at 11:30 a.m. on February 11. NIU and Drake will meet for the seventh time in program history as Drake has won the last three meetings.
 
Butler finished the 2023 season with a record of 18-35 while Drake had an 18-34 record in 2023.
 
Tournament Schedule
Feb. 9 | vs Western Illinois | 9 a.m.
Feb. 10 | Nebraska Omaha | 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 | Northern Iowa | 6 p.m.
Feb. 11 | Butler | 9 a.m.
Feb. 11 | Drake | 11:30 a.m.
 
Previewing the Season
 
Continuing action on the road, NIU heads south for the University of South Alabama tournament, Feb. 16-18. The Huskies will face Eastern Kentucky, University of Alabama at Birmingham, South Alabama, and Central Michigan.
 
Following action at the Northern Iowa and South Alabama tournaments, the Huskies head to Western Kentucky to open March action. NIU is set to face Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, and Dayton at the Western Kentucky tournament, March 1-3. NIU wraps up the early season tournament slate by heading west to the University of Montana. The Huskies are set to face Holy Cross and Montana on March 8-10.
 
"We are gearing up for an extraordinary season, poised to showcase the talent, dedication, and intention that defines our Team 66," noted Sutcliffe. "Our staff is excited to see this resilient group build upon our prior season and compete for a MAC championship. We have diligently been preparing, and the energy from our players is truly inspiring. We aren't just building a team; we're fostering a culture of excellence on and off the field."
 
Mid-American Conference action starts for the Huskies on March 15, as they travel to Central Michigan for a three-game series.
 
NIU will open the season at home on March 26, hosting DePaul for a non-conference game.
 
The Huskies were selected to finish sixth in the MAC Preseason Poll. The full 2024 season announcement can be found here.
 
Recapping 2023

The 2023 Huskies posted the fourth-best GPA by team in the nation from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
 
The Huskies saw Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) earn Third Team All-Region honors from NFCA and return two All-MAC honorees for 2024 in Stewart and Kiley Conner (St. John, Ind./Lake Central). Stewart took home First Team All-MAC honors, holding a 3.06 ERA, 13 wins, 101 strikeouts, and holding her opponents to a .230 average. Conner had a .363 average overall (.375 conference only), recorded nine stolen bases, and had 16 RBIs for Second Team All-MAC honors.
 
Caitlyn Shumaker (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) wrote her way into the record book in 2023, stealing 34 bases (a single season record) and moving to fifth All-Time in stolen bases with 47.
 
The Huskies return the doubles and runs leader in Courtney James (Fishers, Ind./Fishers), and two of the three home run leaders in Shumaker and Stewart.
 
The Huskies posted a record of 26-25 record in 2023.

Be sure to follow Huskie Softball on X/Twitter @NIUSoftball and @NIU_Softball on Instagram.

--NIU--