Bryanna Phelan
The Northern Illinois University softball team suffered a 6-1 defeat to UIC in a non-conference match-up Wednesday at Flames Field.
“UIC did a good job today,” said NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard. “They played sound defense and dominated us. We couldn’t find a way to get them out in the big situations.”
The Huskie (18-24, 6-6) offense was held to three hits on the day, while the Flames pounded out nine.
Northern Illinois took a 1-0 lead when Bryanna Phelan (Coal City, Ill./Coal City) stole home on a double steal in the top of the third. UIC (19-22) responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, scoring both runs with two outs to take a 2-1 advantage.
NIU had an opportunity to tie the game or take the lead in the fifth inning putting runners at first and second with one out. However a strikeout and a groundout ended the threat. In the bottom of the sixth, the Flames broke the game wide open scoring four runs to take a 6-1 lead.
The Huskies return to action Friday when NIU travels to Ohio to resume Mid-American Conference play. Northern Illinois faces Ohio in a doubleheader Friday before heading to Akron for a weekend set with the Zips.
First pitch for Game One of Friday’s doubleheader is set for noon Central Time and fans can follow the action live, via GameTracker, at NIUhuskies.com.
For more information on NIU softball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
