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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Junior middle infielder/outfielder Jenna Turner is called out on a stolen base attempt on March 29. The Huskies were swept in a three-game series against Ohio University on Saturday and Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball swept in Ohio, drop to 10th in MAC

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | April 7, 2024

NIU softball (9-23, 3-9 MAC) fell to 10th place in the MAC after suffering a three-game sweep from Ohio University (20-18, 8-6 MAC). The Huskies had 20 combined runners left on base over the weekend series as they were outscored 21-11. “I think...

Senior third baseman Caitlyn Shumaker (3) rounds first base after hitting a single to left field against Kent State Saturday. Shumaker broke the NIU softball career record of 61 stolen bases. (Northern Star File Photo)

Shumaker swipes NIU’s stolen bases record

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 1, 2024

DeKALB – NIU softball’s all-time stolen bases leaderboard has a new name atop its list. Senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker logged the 60th and 61st stolen bases of her NIU career during Saturday’s 5-2 victory over Kent State University to become...

Senior catcher/outfielder Ellis Erickson rounds third base in an NIU softball home game against Kent State University on Friday. Erickson scored the game-winning run to seal the Huskies' 3-2 walk-off victory over the Golden Flashes. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Shumaker walks off Kent State to snap losing skid

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 30, 2024

DeKALB – NIU softball (8-19, 2-5 MAC) entered its MAC home opener Friday as the loser of its past six games, including a 17-5 trouncing in its home opener just three days earlier. After falling into a 2-1 deficit against the MAC’s second-ranked team,...

Senior pitcher Claire Norred (19) throws the opening pitch at Mary M. Bell Field Tuesday. The Huskies lost their home opener 17-5 to DePaul. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Softball goes cold in home opener, loses 6th straight

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | March 26, 2024

DeKALB – NIU softball (7-19, 1-5 MAC) was pummeled 17-5 in five innings by the DePaul University Blue Demons (7-20, 2-4 BEC) in its first home game of the season Tuesday. DePaul’s 13 hits and three home runs, as well as NIU’s seven errors, lit...

Then NIU freshman pitcher and utility player Danielle Stewart (22) reaches for the ball as then junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) passes it at home plate during NIU Softball's home game against Central Michigan University March 31, 2023. The Huskies were swept by the University of Akron Zips, losing 7-6 in the final game of the series Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU leaves Akron winless, picking up fifth-straight loss

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

NIU softball (7-18, 1-5 MAC) wrapped up its three-game series losing 7-6 to the University of Akron Zips (13-15, 5-1 MAC), marking the Huskies’ fifth-straight loss. Three home runs headlined today’s game as Huskie senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker,...

NIU softball huddles up before a game against Central Michigan University on April 2, 2023. The Huskies defeated the University of Montana Grizzlies 3-1 in their final game before MAC play. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball wins final tournament game of regular season

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | March 11, 2024

NIU softball (6-13) closed out the Montana Softball Classic strong with a 3-1 win over the University of Montana Grizzlies (10-16). The Huskies finished the tournament 2-3. NIU controlled the game from the pitcher’s circle, allowing just one run...

Then NIU junior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker (3) points to communicate with a coach before an inning on March 31, 2023. Shumaker scored the winning run against College of the Holy Cross Saturday on a bunt from freshman outfielder Katy Ramage. (Northern Star File Photo)

Ramage walks off Crusaders as Huskies split Saturday action

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 9, 2024

It’s the bottom of the seventh inning in a 4-4 ball game. The NIU softball team, who sat at a 4-0 deficit after two innings, battled back for the chance of a walk-off win. The 1-0 pitch leaves the right hand of College of the Holy Cross senior pitcher/utility...

Junior middle infielder/outfielder Jenna Turner walks back to the dugout March 3 against Western Kentucky University. Turner had 2 RBIs Friday as NIU lost to College of the Holy Cross and University of Montana. (Courtesy of Wyatt Richardson)

Huskies drop first two games of Montana Softball Classic

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 9, 2024

NIU softball (4-12) left the first day of the Montana Softball Classic winless, sparking a three-game losing streak. The Huskies lost 5-3 against the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders (6-7) in Game 1 and lost 7-6 against the University of Montana...

NIU senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker throws the ball during the Huskies’ 11-2 loss to Western Kentucky University in five innings Sunday at the WKU Softball Complex in Bowling Green, Kentucky. NIU’s defeat sent the Huskies home with a 1-3 record at the Hilltopper Spring Fling. (Courtesy of Wyatt Richardson)

Softball splits weekend finale in Western Kentucky

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 3, 2024

NIU softball split its second and final day of action at the Hilltopper Spring Fling on Sunday to finish its third weekend out of 2024 with a 1-3 record. The Huskies (4-10) defeated the University of Dayton (7-5) before falling to Western Kentucky...

Then junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) tosses the ball to the pitcher as Central Michigan University batters switch out on April 2, 2023. Erickson had two hits in a 6-5 loss to Central Michigan Sunday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball can’t capitalize, loses to Central Michigan

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 18, 2024

NIU softball (3-7) fell short against the Central Michigan University Chippewas (1-4) leaving the bases loaded in the sixth and losing 6-5 to finish 1-4 in the South Alabama Tournament. “Every loss matters,” said NIU softball head coach Christina...

Then NIU freshman pitcher and utility player Danielle Stewart (22) reaches for the ball as then junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) passes it at home plate during NIU Softball's home game against Central Michigan University March 31, 2023. Stewart struck out eight batters in a complete game win over University of Alabama at Birmingham Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball splits Day 2 of South Alabama Invitational

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 17, 2024

NIU softball stole nine bases and struck out as many batters en route to splitting the second day of the South Alabama Invitational on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The Huskies (3-6) upended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (3-4) 5-1 in the morning...

Senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker prepares for a pitch against Western Illinois University at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic on Friday. Shumaker blasted a walk-off RBI double against Butler University Sunday. (Landon Wirt | Courtesy of UNI Athletics)

Extra-inning walk-off sends softball over Butler

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | February 12, 2024

An eighth-inning walk-off double by senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker gave softball (2-3) a 6-5 win over Butler University (1-4) before Drake University (4-1) delivered the Huskies a 7-2 loss GAME 1: NIU 6, BUTLER 5 A pitcher’s duel was in full...