MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—With their first shutout win of the season and first in MAC play, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball program defeated the Central Michigan University Chippewas, 4-0.
It was a pitchers' battle through the first four innings, as CMU gave up three hits to the Huskies. In the circle for NIU,
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) recorded one hit and four strikeouts. Stewart tallied seven strikeouts in the game.
"Starting the MAC season off with a win is always the goal and to accomplish that was great. All of the preparation and tournaments we competed in got us ready for a tough conference schedule," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "It was nice to see Dee Dee (Stewart) have a complete game, strike out seven batters, and (we are) looking for her to continue to have a great game tomorrow. When you can bear down and keep them off the bases, it is a good momentum boost for our team."
Caitlyn Shumaker (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) recorded the first hit of the day for the Huskies, a single in the first inning as the Huskies recorded the three of the first four combined hits of the day.
Breaking through on the scoreboard,
Fiona Crane (Evergreen Park, Ill./Mother McAuley) scored in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from
Ellis Erickson (Lutz, Fla./Freedom).
The Chippewas threatened in the bottom of the fifth, with bases loaded as Stewart and the Huskies avoided any damage to the scoreboard.
The sixth inning proved to be pivotal for the Huskies as they opened with back-to-back doubles from Stewart and
Avery Carnahan (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston). After sending Stewart across home plate, Carnahan recorded the Huskies second stolen base of the afternoon.
Rylie Hartman (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) grounded out to the shortstop as Carnahan scored for the Huskies.
Brianna Pechman (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago Community) scored the final run of the day for NIU, scoring on
Isabel Shafer's ground out to shortstop.
Huskie Notes
- Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township), Shumaker, and Carnahan had two hits in the game today, as the Huskies tallied nine hits.
- It was Ramage's sixth game, Shumaker's third game, and Carnahan's second game with multiple hits.
- Stewart was credited with her third complete game and first shutout of the season.
- This was the Huskies first shutout win of the season. NIU has now won three of their last four games.
- The Huskies have had sixth games, including today's contest, with nine or more hits.
The Huskies conclude the three-game series with Central Michigan on March 16. The first pitch in the doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET.
