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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

Carlsen awarded Coach of the Year

By Krystal Ward | May 4, 2017

DeKALB — Lisa Carlsen, women’s basketball head coach, was selected as one of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Division I Coaches of the Year on Monday.The association recognized coaches at all levels in the NCAA — National Junior...

Softball loses to top MAC contender

By Krystal Ward | April 23, 2017

DeKALB — Softball suffered its first series loss since April 4 when the Central Michigan University Chippewas defeated the Huskies in two of three games.The Chippewas (30-13, 13-4 Mid-American Conference) took the first game Friday, 2-1, and won the...

Q&A: Senior softball infielder

By Krystal Ward | April 20, 2017

DeKALB — Kali Kossakowski, senior softball middle infielder, leads a busy life.A nursing major, the director of publications for the Student Nurses Organization and a part of a Bible study group, Kossakowski’s days are usually full.She has a .333...

Softball wins midweek battle

Softball wins midweek battle

By Krystal Ward | April 12, 2017

DeKalb — Softball won its midweek matchup at home against the Ball State University Cardinals behind a strong performance from junior pitcher Tara Thacker.

The Huskies (19-15, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) defeated the Cardinals (25-19, 9-3 MAC), 6-3, Wednesday at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb.

Thacker (5-7) pitched all seven innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits, with five strikeouts and seven walks.

“[Thacker] did a really good job in the first and second inning of getting us off the field [and] making a pitch when they needed to,” said Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe. “[Thacker] was able to get them to popup quite a bit, which was really nice to see.”

Senior first baseman Kayti Grable and Bekah Harnish, junior catcher and infielder, both went 2-for-3. Grable drove in three runs and Harnish had a run and an RBI.

Sophomore outfielder Jessica Rio went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk. Sutcliffe said she was a little nervous when the Cardinals scored in the first inning, but the Huskies bounced back and had three great innings of scoring.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, the Huskies scored three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Sophomore outfielder Jenny Van Geertry walked and advanced to second base on a single by Rio.

Harnish singled to right field to score Van Geertry and advanced to second base on an errant throw.

Grable doubled to center field to score Rio and Harnish.

In the bottom of the third inning, sophomore outfielder Katie Lamich singled to left field and scored on a home run by sophomore infielder Sam Schmidt to give NIU a 6-2 lead, which was all the offense it needed for the game.

Senior outfielder Rachel Houck sent Thacker’s pitch over the left field fence to tack on one more run for the Cardinals in the top of the seventh inning, but a line out and two strikeouts later ended the game and gave NIU the win.

The Huskies will be back in action this weekend in a four-game series against Western Michigan University beginning with a game 2 p.m. Friday in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Softball wins close series

By Krystal Ward | April 9, 2017

DeKALB — Softball won its three-game weekend series against the Kent State University Golden Flashes in three tightly contested games.The teams split Saturday’s doubleheader with Kent State (15-21, 5-6) taking the first game, 6-5, and NIU winning...

Teammate has friend’s back

By Krystal Ward | April 6, 2017

DeKALB — Softball’s junior pitcher Keegan Hayes and sophomore outfielder Katie Lamich have a long history together, sparking a special connection between the two friends.Hayes and Lamich grew up 10 minutes from each other in Naperville and played...

Women’s basketball assistant coach earns award

By Krystal Ward | April 3, 2017

DeKALB — Adam Tandez, women’s basketball assistant coach, was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Thirty Under-30 Wednesday for the nation’s best coaches under 30 years old.This is Tandez’s second consecutive year receiving the...

The team surrounds home plate after Senior Kali Kossakowski hit a home run during Saturday’s home game. The Huskies defeated the Bowling Green State University in two out of three games to win the weekend series. 

Softball wins two out of three games

By Krystal Ward | April 2, 2017

The team surrounds home plate after Senior Kali Kossakowski hit a home run during Saturday’s home game. The Huskies defeated the Bowling Green State University in two out of three games to win the weekend series. 

Northern Star Press Box feat. Kayti Grable, Alex Frenz and Tara Thacker

By Northern Star staff | March 28, 2017

This week's episode of Northern Star Press Box we sit down with NIU softball players Kayti Grable, Tara Thacker and Alex Frenz. We talked about karaoke songs, team tattoos and preseason/conference play.Hosts: Sports Editor Scott A. Nicol and sports writer...

Members of the softball team gather at the mound in Friday's first game against University of Akron Zips. The Huskies went on to defeat the Zips in this game 3-1.

Softball defeats Zips in first home series of season

By Krystal Ward | March 26, 2017

Members of the softball team gather at the mound in Friday's first game against University of Akron Zips. The Huskies went on to defeat the Zips in this game 3-1.

Players and coaches huddle together to discuss strategies before a game earlier this season. The softball team won its two games in the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa Friday and Saturday. 

Softball returns to its winning ways

By Krystal Ward | March 19, 2017

DeKALB — Softball swept the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa Friday after scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning against the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits.NIU came into the weekend losing four of its last five games played....

Men’s hoops lose in regular season finale; play at Eastern Michigan to begin tourney

By Krystal Ward | March 5, 2017

DeKALB — Men’s basketball fell in its regular season finale, 87-82, to the Ball State University Cardinals, and as a result ended with the No. 9 seed to enter the Mid-American Conference tournament.The Huskies finished the season with a 15-16 overall...