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Softball splits doubleheader in California

March 18, 2011
Adriana Sanchez

Adriana Sanchez

The Northern Illinois softball team split its Thursday doubleheader with Sacramento State  at Sacramento State’s Shea Stadium in Sacramento, Calif.

The Huskies (9-10), who are averaging almost six runs a game this season, posted an 8-0 shutout over Sacramento State in Game One, before falling to the Hornets, 11-3, in the nightcap.

Adriana (Sanchez) was great at the plate going 3-for-3 (in the first game) and Stephanie (Tofft) extended her hitting streak to nine games,” NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. “Whitney (Owens) and Nicole (Gremillion) combined for the shutout, which was nice to see.”

In addition to her perfect performance at the plate, Sanchez, a native of San Fernando, Calif. also had an RBI and a run scored in the first contest. Tofft, who hails from Lincoln, Calif., had a strong day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

NIU saw production throughout the line up in the first game with Alexandra Wulbecker (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) going 2-for-4 with a run scored and Amanda Sheppard (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Three other Huskies recorded a hit also.

In the first game, NIU jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a run in both the second and third innings. Two runs in the fourth and a four spot in the sixth put the game out of reach for Sacramento State and the game ended after six innings.

Owens improved to 4-3, going five strong innings allowing two hits while striking out three. Gremillion pitched a scoreless sixth help preserve NIU’s second shutout.

Northern Illinois is back in action today in Reno, Nev., for the Silver and Blue Classic.

For more information on NIU softball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.