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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

Sophomore pitcher/utility Danielle Stewart (22) starts her pitching windup at Mary M. Bell Field on April 12. Stewart recorded the first no-hitter since 2006 in a win against Bowling Green State University Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Stewart pitches no-hitter, NIU blanks Bowling Green

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 27, 2024

NIU sophomore pitcher/utility Danielle “Dee Dee” Stewart pitched her first career no-hitter as the Huskies (16-29, 7-14 MAC) shut out conference bottom-dweller Bowling Green State University (5-33, 2-18 MAC) 7-0 to open the season series Friday at...

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, Senior 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...

Sophomore pitcher/utility Danielle Stewart  swings and hits a homerun Friday at Mary M. Bell Field. Stewart hit a home run and pitched five innings as the Huskies split Saturday's doubleheader with the University of Toledo. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Softball splits Saturday action, wins series over Toledo

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 14, 2024

DeKALB – NIU softball (12-25, 5-10 MAC) split Saturday’s doubleheader action against the University of Toledo (19-16, 10-5 MAC) to take the season series over the Rockets. “Winning the series is what we came into the weekend to do,” said NIU...

Sophomore pitcher/utility Danielle Stewart (22) starts her pitching windup at Mary M. Bell Field on Friday. Stewart earned the win, pitching a complete game and recording a home run and a triple at the plate as NIU softball defeated the University of Toledo 8-3. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Stewart pushes NIU softball over Toledo

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | April 13, 2024

DeKALB – A multifaceted performance from sophomore pitcher/utility Danielle Stewart propelled NIU softball (11-24, 4-9 MAC) to an 8-3 win over the University of Toledo (18-15, 9-4 MAC) on Friday. Following a grand slam in a 5-3 win Wednesday, Stewart...

Sophomore pitcher/utility Danielle Stewart throws to first base leading to an out against Kent State University on March 29. Stewart blasted a grand slam in a 5-3 victory over Bradley University Wednesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Softball blows lead in Game 1 against Braves, splits doubleheader

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | April 10, 2024

NIU softball (10-24, 3-9 MAC) found retribution in Game 2 after blowing a lead in Game 1 to split Wednesday’s doubleheader against Bradley University (19-20, 8-6 MVC) on the road. “Our offense showed up today no doubt about it,” said NIU softball...

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 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...

Then-freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22), at bat, watches the ball fly after swinging during an NIU softball game against Central Michigan University on April 1, 2023 at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb. Stewart recorded 2 RBIs in NIU's victory over Western Illinois University Friday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Softball survives late comeback, nabs first win of 2024

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

Seven different Huskies crossed home plate as NIU used early domination over an in-state rival to begin 2024 in the win column. NIU softball (1-0) successfully fended off a late comeback Friday to outlast Western Illinois University (0-1) 8-6 in the...

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, Senior 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...

NIU freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22) reaches for the ball as junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) passes it to her at home plate during NIU Softball's home game against Central Michigan University March 31 at Mary M. Bell Field. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Stewart’s strikeout parade leads Huskies past Bulls

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | May 1, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball (24-24, 13-12 MAC) secured a game three victory over the University at Buffalo (12-35, 6-17 MAC) Sunday at Nan Harvey Field behind freshman pitcher Danielle Stewart’s strong pitching performance. After winning Games 1 and...

Senior second baseman Sam Mallinder (18) rounds first base Saturday. Mallinder spoke to her experience in being recruited and playing at NIU, her goals for the team and her education. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies split doubleheader with MAC leading Bobcats

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 15, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball (19-19, 9-7 MAC) hosted the Ohio University Bobcats (24-18, 14-6 MAC) – the No. 1 ranked MAC softball team – splitting wins in the doubleheader. Strong batting helped the Huskies take game one, but poor pitching plagued NIU...

NIU freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22) reaches for the ball as junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) passes it to her at home plate during NIU Softball's home game against Central Michigan University March 31 at Mary M. Bell Field. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies, Beacons split weekday doubleheader

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 11, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball (18-18, 8-6 MAC) faced off against the Valparaiso University Beacons (5-29, 1-12 MVC) splitting wins in a doubleheader. Poor hitting hurt NIU in the first game, but the Huskies bounced back with seven runs in the second game.  GAME...