Northern Star

Softball packs for MAC games

By Jason Walton | March 30, 2001

Coming off an impressive come-from-behind win against Miami of Ohio, the NIU softball team faces Toledo in its first Mid-American Conference road games. The Huskies (7-17 overall, 2-2 in the MAC) will play three games against the Rockets in 48 hours,...

Pushed by a voice

By Joe Lacdan | March 29, 2001

As an NIU freshman learning how to bat at the Division I level, Samantha Knoll often found herself swinging at the air, as a ball whiffed by. But through all her struggles on the plate, she always had grandpa behind her, and she would hear him cheering...

Pitching packs heat in split

By Jason Walton | March 28, 2001

The NIU softball team has been relatively quiet at the plate in recent games, but on Tuesday afternoon the pitching made up for it. Senior Courtney Witvliet pitched a complete game in the first of a double-header against Miami of Ohio. The right-hander...

Softball scrapes Game 2 comeback over Miami

By Joe Lacdan | March 28, 2001

Refusing to crumble, the NIU softball team mustered the energy to compete in the Mid-American Conference against Miami on Tuesday afternoon. After suffering from a drought at the plate in a 1-0 loss in the opening game against Miami, the Huskies used...

Softball finds stride despite weekend split

By Joe Lacdan | March 27, 2001

It may not have shown in Friday's split against Akron, but the NIU softball team has been creeping toward peak form. The defending Mid-American Conference champs found consistency on the mound and on defense, giving up two and three runs, respectively,...

Coach hails awards as team reflection

By Joe Lacdan | March 26, 2001

After enduring unstable early season weather and a monster non-conference competition, NIU's softball team begins defense of its Mid-American Conference Crown today. The Huskies welcome the Akron Zips (7-10) for a double header at 2:00 p.m.

"This begins the second season for us," NIU coach Donna Martin said. "Everything we've done at this point was just to prepare ourselves for conference."

Two NIU softball players earned individual MAC honors Tuesday, but coach Donna Martin believes the awards represent the team's overall success.

Senior catcher Samantha Knoll was named MAC Player of the Week, while freshman hurler Amy Krahula won Pitcher of the Week recognition.

Martin said the honors typify the improvement of the Huskie team, which went 4-4 last week after starting the season 1-11.

"We played much better as a team and group down in Florida," Martin said. "I think these individual awards are a testament to that."

The Huskies (5-15) hit the ball better, and it showed in an 8-0 shutout of Colgate University when NIU tallied 11 hits. Knoll led the efforts, posting a .481 batting average and tallying 11 runs, 6 RBI, 3 doubles and a home run.

Knoll has developed into NIU's top hitter, tallying team-bests of 22 hits, 15 runs, 6 doubles, 2 homers and 11 RBI. Her .338 season batting average also ranks first on the team.

Martin said the junior provided a much-needed lift, especially after the Huskies struggled at the plate before arriving in Florida.

"Her offense really ignited us," Martin said of Knoll. "It got us starting to hit as a unit. I think we fed off her performance."

After some early-season struggles, Krahula has started to come around, leading NIU with a 2.49 earned-run average. She posted a 0.48 ERA and earned two victories last week.

"Amy has really come on strong of late," Martin said. "She has really been a stabilizing force for us, and she has solidified her standing in the rotation."

Krahula (2-1) shined especially in a 2-0 blanking of Colgate, giving up only 2 hits and 1 walk. Her other victory came in a 4-1 win against Maine on Saturday.

Softball heats up

By Joe Lacdan | March 19, 2001

Perhaps the warm Florida weather gave the NIU softball team the boost it needed. Losing 11 of its first 12 contests, the Huskies suffered from cold performances at the plate and inconsistency on the mound. But the Huskies turned the heat up in those areas...

Softball loses swing at SI Invite

By Joe Lacdan | March 7, 2001

Before the softball season tipped off last month, NIU coach Donna Martin said hitting would be one of her team's strengths. But the Huskies' bats stayed silent last weekend at the Southern Illinois Invite, where NIU went 0-3. The Huskies (1-11) managed...

Softball goes 1-3 over weekend

By Joe Lacdan | February 21, 2001

While the bats didn't crack as much as Donna Martin had hoped, her softball team showed positive signs this weekend at the Missouri Round Robin tournament. Playing under the domed roof of Missouri's indoor football complex, the Huskies went 1-3 this weekend....

Stiff weekend awaits softballers

By Joe Lacdan | February 16, 2001

Last weekend, the NIU softball team walked off the field at Auburn University five times in frustration. True, the Huskies faced monster competition, but softball coach Donna Martin's team strives high, and the losses left a bitter mark as the Huskies...

‘The sky’s the limit’

By Joe Lacdan | February 14, 2001

Softball coach Donna Martin believes Anne Hamilton may someday become one of the best pitchers in NIU history. Hamilton has the talent and potential to be a great hurler, she said, but that talent needs to be molded. "The sky's the limit," Martin said....

Preseason swings fall short over weekend

By Joe Lacdan | February 14, 2001

NIU softball coach Donna Martin's team has one objective in mind every season: to place first in the Mid-American Conference standings. Year after year, the Huskies seem to find themselves at the top of the MAC. While her team lost four key players to...

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