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Emily Norton earns weekly MAC softball honor

April 22, 2013
Emily Norton

Emily Norton

Northern Illinois University softball player Emily Norton was named Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Norton posted a perfect 4-0 record in four appearances in MAC play this past weekend leading NIU to back-to-back doubleheader victories over Kent State and Buffalo.

She pitched 23.2 innings, allowing six runs, two earned on 13 hits while striking out 17 and posting a 0.59 earned run average.

Norton went the distance in Game One against Kent State, allowing one unearned run while striking out eight batters. She then came back to start Game Two, going 6.1 innings, allowing three runs, one earned, and striking out six more batters as the Huskies completed the sweep, winning 4-3.

Emily Norton

Emily Norton

The Oak Forest, Ill. native came in to pitch in relief of NIU’s 6-4 extra-inning victory over Buffalo, pitching the final two innings to seal the win. Norton then pitched seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and a walk, in NIU’s 6-0 win over the Bulls. She improved her record to 9-16 on the season with her performances this weekend.

Norton is the second Huskie and the third overall player of the week honors. Pitcher Jessica Sturm (Wichita, Kan. Goddard) was named MAC West Pitcher of the Week Feb. 12 and Feb. 26, 2013.

The Huskies return to the diamond Tuesday when NIU welcomes instate rival Western Illinois to Mary M. Bell Field. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

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