Share Tweet Share Email

Softball duo sweep MAC weekly honors

February 14, 2012
Stephanie Tofft and Megan Dortch

Stephanie Tofft and Megan Dortch

NIU’s softball team swept the Mid-American Conference weekly awards as freshman Megan Dortch won MAC West Pitcher of the Week, while Stephanie Tofft took Player of the Week accolades.

Tofft picked up where she left off in 2011 with an outstanding opening weekend for the Huskies in 2012.

The sophomore shortstop batted .611, with a .944 slugging percentage, going 11-of-18 from the plate with two home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored in five games. Tofft recorded three multi-hit games, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance against UT-Martin.

She did her most damage against Nicholls State, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, five RBIs and two runs scored. The Lincoln, Calif. native also tallied RBIs against UT-Martin and Southeastern Louisiana. Tofft was also 2-4 on stolen base attempts, stealing bases against Southern and UT-Martin.

Dortch led the way for the Huskie pitching staff in the opening weekend, going 3-1, allowing 16 runs on 19 hits while striking out 25. In her first collegiate appearance, the freshman came in in relief to pitch two-and-a-thirds innings of shutout softball picking up her first win in the Huskies’ season opener against Southern. Dortch allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three.

Later that day, she made her first career start against Nicholls State, going five innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and four base on balls, while striking out six. She struck out 11, going the distance in a 7-5 win over UT-Martin.

Northern Illinois returns to the diamond next weekend when the Huskies travel to Denton, Texas to compete in the Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic hosted by North Texas. NIU opens the tournament against Creighton with first pitch set for 10 a.m.

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