Huskies Split Doubleheader at Ball State - Northern Illinois University Athletics

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5/7/2021 | 3 p.m. CT

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Northern Illinois University softball team split its doubleheader with Ball State at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ball Park Complex on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Huskies (18-28, 12-18) took the first game, 7-2, but were unable to hold on in game two as Ball State (28-17, 22-7) posted a 5-4 win in the nightcap.
 
NIU took advantage of a soft playing surface and the Cardinal defense to pick up the win in the first game of the day. After a scoreless two innings by both squads, the Huskies broke through with a three-run third and the ball never left the infield.
 
Courtney James coaxed a leadoff walk and advanced to second after Amberly Rodriguez singled on a perfectly placed ball in front of home plate. The pair then moved to second and third on a wild pitch. James scored when Katie Keller hit a shot to the Cardinal shortstop who went home with the ball and threw it out of the reach of the Ball State catcher.
 
With runners still at second and third and no outs, Kelly Walinski laid down a perfect bunt, driving in Rodriguez and advancing Keller to third. Keller came around to score the third run of the inning on a wild pitch.
 
With runners at second and third with one out in the fourth, Walinski singled through the right side to plate a pair and give NIU a 5-0 advantage. NIU tacked on two more runs in the sixth when James stole home and Walinski drove in Keller on an RBI single through the left side.
 
Walinski drove in four of NIU's runs going 3-for-4 from the plate, while Keller scored three runs after going 1-for-2 with two base on balls.
 
Mackenzie Bryan was very effective in the circle for NIU in game one. The Huskie senior threw a complete game four-hitter, striking out four and allowing two runs.
 
A late rally by Ball State proved to be the difference in the second game.
 
NIU opened up a 4-0 lead on a two-run double by James in the second and a James RBI groundout and RBI single by Amberly Rodriguez in the fourth.
 
Ball State pulled to within a run with three runs in the fifth, and pitched out of a runners at second and third no-out situation in the top of the seventh.
 
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Ball State's Faith Henley blooped a single in short left field to score two runs and give the Cardinals the win.
 
"We competed at a level we know we are always capable of today," NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe said. "Coming off a long road trip, it's nice to see production on both sides of the ball throughout the whole lineup."
 
The Huskies return to the diamond Friday when they open a season ending 10-game homestand, starting with a four-game series with Bowling Green. First pitch for game one of the series is set for 3 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the game via NIUTube or follow live stats, both on NIUHuskies.com.
 
-NIU-
 

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Huskies Split Doubleheader at Ball State - Northern Illinois University Athletics
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