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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

Sophomore right fielder Fiona Crane (26) throws the ball infield after catching the foul against the fence line in right field while senior center fielder Ellis Erickson (23) and junior second baseman Jenna Turner (4) cheer her on in the field. NIU softball was defeated 9-3 by the University at Buffalo Bulls Sunday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Softball drops home series against Buffalo

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | April 22, 2024

DeKALB – An afternoon’s worth of bullying by the University at Buffalo Bulls has left NIU softball, a team that had championship expectations entering 2024, with no chance of a winning conference mark. NIU (13-29, 6-14 MAC) suffered its 14th conference...

Junior middle infielder/outfielder Avery Carnahan high fives NIU assistant coach Alaynie Woollard on March 27 at Mary M. Bell Field. Carnahan hit a 3-run single against the University at Buffalo as NIU softball split Saturdays doubleheader. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball splits home doubleheader against Buffalo

By Lucas Didier, Assistant Sports Editor | April 21, 2024

DeKALB – NIU softball (13-28, 6-13 MAC) split Saturday’s doubleheader with the University at Buffalo (14-25, 6-12 MAC), winning 11-3 and losing 4-1. Game 1 brought 13 hits for the Huskies en route to a mercy rule victory in the sixth inning. Senior...

A graphic shows senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker as the Huskie of the Week. Shumaker broke NIUs stolen base record and went 6-for-10 to lead the Huskies to their first series win of the 2024 season. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Shumaker steals Huskie of the Week honors

By Northern Star Sports Staff | April 1, 2024

After conquering the NIU career stolen bases record, senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker has earned NIU softball’s first Huskie of the Week honor of the season. Shumaker’s 61 steals surpasses Jill Carpenter, who set the record in 2000. The Bellefontaine,...

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, 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, 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, Assistant 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 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, Sports Reporter | March 10, 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...

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, Assistant 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...

The 2024 NIU softball team poses for its official team photo. The Huskies open their season Friday at the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, facing five teams in three days. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Hungry for crown: Softball chases conference conquest

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | February 7, 2024

DeKALB – When asked about her team’s strengths, NIU softball head coach Christina Sutcliffe offered three words to describe her team: gritty, spunky and fast. Guided by its 12th-year skipper, NIU will look to use that grit, spunk and speed in 2024...

Softball opens conference play with doubleheader split

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 20, 2023

DeKALB – Mid-American Conference play began for NIU Softball (10-12, 1-1 MAC) Sunday against the University of Akron Zips (11-9, 1-1 MAC) in a doubleheader.  The Huskies fell short in extra innings in game one, then took a low-scoring game two to...

Softball splits doubleheader in final day of Saint Louis tournament

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | March 13, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball (9-10) wrapped up play in the Saint Louis tournament Sunday with an 8-7 win over Bradley University (7-14) and a 4-1 loss to Saint Louis University (6-14). NIU finished the tournament with a 3-1 record.  GAME ONE Led by a fifth...