NIU Softball (15-22, 9-8 MAC) staged a comeback Monday to take a 7-6 victory against the Bradley University Braves (18-25, 7-10 MVC) in extra innings.
“We want to be the instigators,” said NIU softball head coach Kathryn Gleason. “When people score, we just have to fight back, you know, and this team has a fight mentality, they’re never out of the game.”
Bradley jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first inning off an RBI sacrifice flyout from freshman infielder Olivia Turner. A wild pitch in the second inning scored freshman catcher Emily Organ, before junior infielder Ashley Breeding hit an RBI double to make the score 3-0.
The Huskies got a run back in the second inning with an RBI single from junior outfielder Ally Rodriguez, cutting the Braves lead to two.
NIU came within one in the third inning off a series of base hits from the Huskies. Sophomore middle-infielder/outfielder Alana Powell singled up the middle to score junior pitcher/utility player Danielle Stewart. Junior catcher/utility player Rylie Hartman singled to bring home another run, before a sacrifice groundout from junior catcher/utility player Trinity Jones Estrada brought home the fourth run for NIU.
Bradley junior pitcher/utility player Rylee Richey doubled in the fourth inning to extend the Braves’ lead to 6-4. Bradley extended its lead in the fourth inning, when junior pitcher/utility player Rylee Ruchey doubled in a run to make the score 6-4 in favor of the Braves.
In the fifth inning, Hartman hit a no-doubt home run to put the game within arm’s reach for the Huskies. Senior middle-infielder/outfielder Jenna Turner singled in another run to tie the game at 6 runs each.
The game remained locked through regulation, before Powell walked it off for the Huskies. Powell hit an RBI double to center field to score senior infielder Madison Mathews and win the game in the eighth inning.
“I was just determined to get Madison (Mathews) in,” Powell said. “We needed this win, and in that moment, I knew I had to come through.”
Sophomore pitcher Hannah Bolly made the start on the mound for the Huskies. In two innings of work, she gave up 5 hits and 2 earned runs while totaling one strikeout.
Junior pitcher Lily Cassell relieved Bolly in the third inning, before pitching the rest of the game for the Huskies. In six innings of work, she totaled 7 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts, earning her fifth straight win.
“It’s my job to take control and shut the other team down and get momentum back on our side,” Cassell said. “That was really my goal.”
UP NEXT
The Huskies will resume Mid-American Conference play against the Kent State University Golden Flashes at noon for a doubleheader Saturday. Live stats will be updated on SIDEARM Stats.
