NIU softball (1-4) was swept in its Friday doubleheader in Memphis, Tennessee. The Huskies were blown out 11-0 in five innings against the University of Kentucky Wildcats (9-4), and lost 3-2 against the Indiana State University Sycamores (6-5).
“We just need to put all three facets of the game together to get the outcome we are working for at the end of the day,” said NIU softball head coach Kathryn Gleason via NIU Athletics.
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
The Wildcats struck in the first with a two-run home run from senior catcher Karissa Hamilton, accounting for the first of many.
Another run reached home in the second inning from a bunt single from senior utility/infielder Madyson Clark to make the score 3-0.
The fifth inning sealed the win for Kentucky, as the Wildcats strung together big hits to plate a total of eight runs to break it open with a score of 11-0.
The Huskies weren’t able to score the following inning, ending the game by mercy rule.
NIU used three pitchers throughout the game. Senior pitcher Lily Cassell made the start and pitched for 3.2 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 1, earning the loss.
In relief, junior pitcher Hannah Bolly pitched 1 inning, giving up 8 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 walk, striking out 2 batters. Freshman pitcher/third-baseman Elle Glass pitched 1 out and walked one batter.
INDIANA STATE
The Huskies’ second game against the Sycamores was a stark contrast to the first, turning into a pitchers’ duel for most of the game.
NIU tallied the first run on the board in the third inning when senior pitcher/utility player Danielle Stewart grounded out to score graduate student middle-infielder/outfielder Jenna Turner.
In the fifth inning, three consecutive fielding errors sabotaged the Huskies and allowed the tying run to reach the plate.
The Sycamores took the lead in the sixth inning with a go-ahead home run from senior middle-infielder/outfielder Hannah Welch. Indiana extended their lead to two after freshman infielder/outfielder Addie Burns singled up the middle to bring home another run.
The Huskies pulled within one after sophomore outfielder/first-baseman Jaylyn Brister hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, but NIU was unable to complete the comeback.
UP NEXT
The Huskies return to action at 11 a.m. Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee, against the North Carolina A&T Aggies. Live stats will be updated on StatBroadcast.
