Softball | April 11

DeKALB, Ill— Returning from a five-game road stretch, the Northern Illinois University Huskies (10-24, 3-9 MAC) softball squad will host the University of Toledo Rockets (18-14, 9-3 MAC) for a three-game series, April 12-13, at Mary M. Bell Field. The first game will start at 3 p.m. on April 12 followed by a 1 p.m. doubleheader on April 13.
 
Fans are invited to stay after the game on April 12 for a post-game autograph session with the 2024 Huskie Softball team. The Huskies will celebrate senior weekend with a post-game ceremony on April 13.
 
Scouting Toledo
 
Leading the Rockets at the plate, Riley Mohr and Sidney Griffith each have a batting average of .394 while Eli Enriquez leads the Rockets with 41 hits and 27 runs this season. Enriquez leads the Rockets with 22 stolen bases as well.
 
In the pitcher's circle, Sophia Knight leads the Rockets with an ERA of 2.47 and 76 strikeouts.
 
The Huskies hold a 44-36 series record against the Rockets, although the Rockets have taken four of the last six meetings. In last season's meeting, Toledo posted a 6-5 win in 8 innings as Shumaker, James, and Rodriguez all scored runs in that meeting.
 
Last Time Out
 
Taking a break from conference action, the Huskies split action with Bradley University in a non-conference doubleheader.
 
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) hit her first career grand slam in the second game as the Huskies had two home runs in that game. The Huskies won the second game, 5-3.
 
Bradley took game one in a walk-off fashion, defeating the Huskies 11-10. The Huskies matched a season-high 13 hits in the first game (Akron on 3/24, 13 hits).
 
Ellis Erickson (Lutz, Fla./Freedom) marked her fourteenth consecutive game with a hit in each of the games against Bradley.
 
Huskie Notes
 
Erickson leads the Huskies with a .395 batting average, 45 hits, 12 doubles, and six home runs. Erickson is joined by Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) and Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) who maintain batting averages of .311 and .306 respectively.

As a team, the Huskies have a combined batting average of .270 and lead the Mid-American Conference in stolen bases with 85 stolen bases this season.
 
Caitlyn Shumaker (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) is third in the MAC for stolen bases with 18 and leads the Huskies in that statistical category.
 
In the pitcher's circle for the Huskies, Stewart has an ERA of 2.49, which is fourth in the MAC, and an opposing batting average of .234.