Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

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 (left) and senior catcher/outfielder Ellis Erickson (right) jump up for a high five during pre-game on April 12. NIU softball won both games of a doubleheader on Wednesday against Valparaiso University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball sweeps Valparaiso in doubleheader

By Lucas Didier, Assistant Sports Editor | April 24, 2024

NIU softball (15-29, 6-14 MAC) crushed Valparaiso University (8-34, 2-15 MVC), outscoring the Beacons 13-2 in a doubleheader sweep Wednesday. Wednesday’s pair of wins marked the first sweep of any kind for the Huskies this season. Three Huskie...

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...

Senior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker is tagged out on a stolen base attempt on March 30 at Mary M. Bell Field. NIU softball was swept in a road doubleheader on Tuesday against Western Michigan University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball strikes out in Kalamazoo doubleheader

By Lucas Didier, Assistant Sports Editor | April 16, 2024

NIU softball (12-27, 5-12 MAC) was held to one run in a doubleheader sweep by Western Michigan University (22-17, 11-5 MAC) on Tuesday. The Huskies recorded just 7 hits and were outscored 4-1, losing the season series against the Broncos. GAME 1:...

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 Saturdays doubleheader with the University of Toledo. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Softball splits Saturday action, wins series over Toledo

By Skyler Kisellus, 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, Assistant 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, Sports Reporter | April 11, 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...

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, Assistant Sports Editor | April 8, 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...

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,...