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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

NIU softball huddles up before the first game of a doubleheader against Central Michigan University on April 2. Head coach Christina Sutcliffe added six new recruits for the 2025 season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Softball signs 6 new recruits

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | November 15, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball head coach Christina Sutcliffe has announced the signing of six new women’s softball recruits for the 2025 season, NIU Athletics announced on Tuesday.  Columbia High School senior Jaylyn Brister is poised to make her Huskie...

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 Softballs 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, 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 utility player Sam Mallinder (18) high-fives the first base coach after hitting a single that drove in a run during the third inning. The Huskies lost the game 7-6. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

6th-inning grand slam propels Huskies in doubleheader split

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | April 26, 2023

DeKALB – After dropping game one 5-4, NIU softball (22-23, 11-11 MAC) came back to win game two 8-4 and split the doubleheader against the Western Michigan University Broncos (16-23, 10-10 MAC) Wednesday. Senior infielder Kelly Walinski belted a sixth...

NIU freshman utility player Danielle Stewart (22), at bat, watches the ball fly after swinging during the Huskie Softball game against Central Michigan University on April 1 at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies fall to Broncos after late rally comes up short

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | April 25, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball’s (21-22, 10-10 MAC) comeback bid fell short, losing 7-6 to the Western Michigan University Broncos (15-22, 9-9 MAC) Tuesday. A complete game from junior pitcher Rissa Bajusz helped the Broncos win the first of the three-game...

Huskie second baseman Sam Mallinder (18) and freshman outfielder Ally Rodriguez (1) scream and cheer as CMU redshirt senior catcher Samantha Mills (3) walks in to the dugout at the end of their game on April 1. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies, Rockets split doubleheader

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 22, 2023

DeKALB – NIU Softball (21-20, 10-8 MAC) took on the University of Toledo Rockets, (17-22, 10-11 MAC) splitting wins in a doubleheader. NIU took game one, but dropped a 6-3 lead in the second game to lose 12-6. GAME ONE  A three-RBI single from...

Then junior catcher Ellis Erickson (23) tosses the ball to the pitcher as CMU batters switch out on April 2, 2023. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Huskies shutout out DePaul behind dominant pitching

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 20, 2023

DeKALB – Three RBIs from senior infielder Kelly Walinski helped NIU softball (20-19, 9-7 MAC) take down the DePaul University Blue Demons (12-25, 4-11 Big East) 6-0 at Cacciatore Stadium in Chicago. Efficient batting led to four Huskies logging RBIs.  Junior...

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 Softballs 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...

Then NIU junior infielder Caitlyn Shumaker (3) points to communicate with a coach before an inning on March 31, 2023. Shumaker hit a walk-off double in the eighth inning to defeat Butler University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Strong pitching performances propel Huskies in doubleheader sweep

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | April 8, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball (17-17, 8-6 MAC) snapped its three-game losing streak and swept Kent State University (9-23, 4-6 MAC) in a doubleheader. Strong pitching helped the Huskies pull out the win in both games.  GAME ONE  Five strikeouts from freshman...

Huskies cough up late lead in loss to Kent State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | April 8, 2023

DeKALB – NIU softball (15-17, 6-6 MAC) dropped its third consecutive game Friday, falling to the Kent State University Golden Flashes (9-21, 4-4 MAC) by a final score of 9-4. After the Huskies held a 4-3 lead entering the fifth inning, the Golden Flashes...

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)

Sam Mallinder: the engine of NIU softball

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | April 6, 2023

Senior utility player Sam Mallinder is the type of teammate that pulls her team together through rough times.  Mallinder’s teammate, junior catcher Ellis Erickson, spoke highly of her team leader. “Sam is probably one of the most hard-working...