MISSOULA, Mt.—A walk-off victory and ten innings of combined shutout were the story for the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball program as they competed at the Montana Classic for a second day. The Huskies defeated Holy Cross 5-4 in a walk-off victory before falling 6-3 to Montana.
Caitlyn Shumaker (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) recorded her tenth stolen base of the season, moving to 57 career stolen bases. The NIU school record for career stolen bases sits at 59, set by Jill Carpenter in 1997-2000.
"It was great seeing both Maddy (Carlson) and Lily battle through some adversity today in the circle," said NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe. "Throwing ten innings of shutout softball is something we will build upon. Our offense is also moving in the right direction, fighting until the last pitch."
Holy Cross Recap (NIU 5, Holy Cross 4)
The Crusaders scored two runs on three hits in the first inning before adding to their lead in the second inning with two runs and two hits.
The Huskies recorded one hit in the first inning as the Crusaders held the Huskies off the scoreboard.
In the pitcher's circle for the Huskies,
Madison Carlson (South Beloit, Ill./South Beloit) held the Crusaders scoreless after the second inning.
Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) scored in the bottom of the fourth inning as
Avery Carnahan (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning for the Huskies.
Courtney James (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) hit a double to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning as Ramage scored the second run of the day for the Huskies in the sixth inning.
Kacie Quick (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West) hit a sacrifice fly as Carnahan for the Huskies.
Needing a big inning, the Huskies saw
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) reached first base on a walk.
Ellis Erickson (Lutz, Fla./Freedom) doubled to right-center as Turner scored the tying run. Ramage hit a walk-off RBI single as Shumaker scored the game-winning run.
Montana Recap (NIU 3, Montana 6)
Taking over the pitching circle for the Huskies,
Lily Cassell (LaGrange, Ohio/Keystone) allowed only two hits in the first three innings.
Turner recorded the first hit of the game for the Huskies in the third inning, a triple to left-center field. Shumaker recorded the second hit of the game, a RBI single as Turner scored the first run of the game for the Huskies. Shumaker continued to inch her way up the record for career stolen bases, stealing second base. Erickson recorded an RBI double as Shumaker scored the second run of the game.
Ramage opened the fourth inning with a double to left field before recording her sixth stolen base of the season. James singled to left field for an RBI as Ramage scored the third run of the day.
The Grizzlies recorded six runs on six hits in the fifth inning, including a three-run home run to take a 6-3 lead over the Huskies.
Each team recorded one hit in the final two innings of the game.
The Huskies will conclude action in Montana on March 10 at 12:00 p.m. The Huskies will open MAC play on March 15-16 as they travel to Central Michigan.
