DeKALB – NIU softball (18-26, 12-11 MAC) took on the University of Akron Zips (25-22, 12-8 MAC), splitting wins in a Senior Day doubleheader Saturday. It was the Huskies’ second day of their series with the Zips following Friday’s opening defeat.
A STRONG SHOWING
In Game 1, the Huskies put on a strong performance in every facet of the game.
Junior pitcher Lily Cassell stood out on the mound, finishing as the only pitcher to pitch all secen innings. Cassell pitched more strikeouts than she did hits, striking out eight batters while only giving up 6 hits.
Senior third baseman Madison Mathews also made an impact in the win. Mathews led the Huskies in hits with two, including a solo home run and an RBI. This extends Mathews’ season lead for NIU with her totals of 7 home runs and 12 doubles.
NIU junior catcher Rylie Hartman was a standout. From her spot behind the plate, Hartman put out 7 runners and also notched a hit.
Speaking on her work in throwing out runners, Hartman credited her coaches and teammates.
“I knew that Akron had some girls that were gonna steal and, you know, just trusting the people that were in the dugout because they’re letting me know too, and also the girls on the field and they’re letting me know too,” Hartman said. “It’s very helpful because it’s not just me.”
NIU shut out Akron 3-0 to win Game 1.
LATE GAME HEARTBREAK
The Huskies’ momentum slipped in Game 2.
In the first inning, junior pitcher Danielle “DeeDee” Stewart had a rough start on the mound, giving up a run after walking senior infielder Alexis Campbell with the bases loaded. This put the zips up 1-0.
The Huskies knotted up the score in the fourth inning when sophomore middle infielder Alana Powell notched her second hit and RBI of the day with a single that brought sophomore catcher Alanah Velazquez in for the score.
NIU would extend its lead in the sixth inning with a single by Mathews that brought senior middle infielder Avery Carnahan in for a score of a fielding error by Akron.
In the final inning, the Zips came to life and flipped the momentum around on the Huskies.
At the top of the seventh, Zips junior infielder Brooke Sivek advanced to third base on a fielding error with two outs on the board. That same error allowed Akron sophomore infielder Delaney Jenkinson to score and knot the game up at 2-2.
From there, junior outfielder Meagan Lee notched a single down the middle of the field to bring Sivek in and put Akron up 3-2.
NIU got a stop on the following at-bat but failed to answer Akron’s offense with any of their own in the bottom of the seventh and fell short to the Zips 3-2.
NIU softball head coach Kathryn Gleason acknowledged the late game error stung, but the emphasis has to be on moving forward to the next game.
“I thought DeeDee (Stewart) pitched a great game. I thought Lily (Cassell) pitched a great game too. To be one out away and lose is rough,” Gleason said. “You have to reset. Say ‘next’ and move forward. It’s a quick turnaround to Western Michigan.”
UP NEXT
NIU softball continues its season at 1 p.m. Tuesday taking on the Western Michigan University Broncos. Live stats will be available at SIDEARM Sports.
