Softball | April 15

DeKALB, Ill.— Following a record-breaking game, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team (14-22, 9-8 MAC) are set to host the Braves of Bradley University (18-24, 7-10, MVC) in a midweek matchup. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Mary M. Bell Field on April 16.
 
Wednesday (April 16) will be the Huskies "Black Out" game and feature on-campus student organizations. Fans will be able to purchase $1 Hot Dogs and $5 beers at the concession stand. 
 
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was named the MAC Player of the Week on April 15 after batting .700 during the series against Buffalo. Stewart recorded two doubles over the week, including one double in the Huskies season-best 5 doubles on April 12. Stewart accounted for two of the RBIs in the record-breaking game for NIU as she went 3-of-3 at the plate in the final game of the weekend.
 
This is Stewart's first player of the week honor and second weekly conference honor (Pitcher of the Week, 3/28/23). This is the second straight week NIU has been recognized by the conference.
 
The Huskies are coming off a record-setting game that saw the school record for RBIs and runs scored in a single game fall. Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) batted .667 on the week and set the NIU record for runs in a single game with five runs scored. The Huskies broke the record for RBIs which was set in 2011 at 19 with 20 RBIs in the second game against the Bulls of Buffalo. Lily Cassell (La Grange, Ohio/Keystone) set a new career-best of 10 strikeouts against Buffalo as the Huskies took the series 2-1.
 
Turner, Madison Mathews (Yuma, Ariz./Cibola), and Stewart lead the Huskies at the plate with all three batting above .314 on the season. Turner and Mathews are in the top-5 in the MAC for batting averages while Turner is third for most hits this season (49). Madison Carlson (South Beloit, Wis./South Beloit) has an ERA of 2.89 for NIU this season while Stewart and Cassell lead the team in strikeouts with 59 and 40 respectively.
 
Bradley enters the midweek contest after dropping a three-game series against Southern Illinois. Kierston McCoy leads the Braves at the plate with a .308 average and 40 hits. Sydney Kennedy leads the Braves in the circle with an ERA of 2.31 and three shutouts. Kennedy has struck out 106 batters while issuing 88 walks.
 
Following action against Bradley, the Huskies will travel to Kent, Ohio for a three-game series against the Golden Flashes of Kent State. First pitch will take place at 12 p.m. CT on April 19 with the series concluding on April 20.
 
Need more NIU Softball? Visit @NIUSoftball on Twitter/X, NIU Softball on Facebook, and @NIU_Softball on Instagram.