Jennifer Barnett
The Northern Illinois University softball team used an offensive explosion Saturday to win its first Mid-American Conference game of the season, 12-5, over Ball State at Mary M. Bell Field.
“After yesterday’s game, we were not very happy, as a team and as a coaching staff,” NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said.
“We really challenged them to have a response today to the way they played yesterday. They hit with runners in scoring position all day today. They came up with big plays when we needed big plays.”
The victory for the Huskies (13-18, 1-2) was the first in eight tries and their largest run total of the season since scoring 12 against Canisius Mar. 13, 2012. Leading the way for NIU was Jennifer Barnett (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli). The junior designated player went 3-for-4 with five runs batted in from the five hole.
“The middle of the line up did a good job,” Chouinard said. “Up and down we did a good job of being patient and crushing those pitches that were at a good height.”
The Northern Illinois offense approached each at bat with a purpose, being patient in some at bats and aggressive in others. NIU pounded out 10 hits and coaxed five walks and getting the timely hit, something that has eluded them this week, when it needed it.
After Ball State (19-10, 0-1) opened the scoring with a run in the first, the Huskies responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame with RBI singles from Stephanie Tofft (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln) and Barnett. Northern Illinois opened the game wide open in the bottom of the second with a four spot.
Jessica Sturm
Erika Oswald (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) stole home on a double steal and Shelby Miller’s (Ottawa, Kan./Ottawa) sacrifice fly extended the lead to 4-1. Barnett picked up two more RBIs when she singled to center giving NIU a 6-1 advantage.
The Cardinals answered with three runs in the top of the third, however, the Huskies responded with a run in the bottom of the frame.
With the score 7-5 NIU after the top of the fifth, Northern Illinois scored five more runs over the next two innings with a pair of runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth. Barnett knocked in two more runs in the sixth on a double to left center. Amanda Sheppard (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) scored the final run of the game with a homer over the left field fence.
Tofft went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Sheppard was 1-for-1 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Freshman Jessica Sturm (Wichita, Kan./Goddard) improved to 4-4, slowing five runs while scattering nine hits and walking only one batter.
NIU closes out its four-game homestand Sunday when the Huskies face Ball State at 1 p.m. Fans can follow all the action live, via Gametracker at NIUHuskies.com.
For more information on NIU softball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
