The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Northern Illinois
Akron Softball Downs Northern Illinois 8-6
April 21 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – Rachael Ratcliffe and Alissa Birkhimer each hit home runs as the Akron softball team defeated Northern Illinois 8-6 on Saturday at a rainy Lee R. Jackson Field.
Ratcliffe's home, her eighth, gave Akron (16-26-1, 2-11 MAC) a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third while Birkhimer's long ball – her seventh – in the bottom of the sixth proved to be the game winner.
Northern Illinois (18-27, 6-9 MAC) was able to push a run across with two outs in the top of the first to grab an early 1-0 lead. The Zips, however, would answer when Ratcliffe sent a three-run shot over the right field fence with two outs to give Akron a 3-1 advantage. Kellie Roudabush and Brittany Maurer would post back-to-back singles following the long ball, but would be left on the pads.
Both teams would post a run in the third as Akron would maintain its two-run lead (4-2) heading into the fourth.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Alex Helfrich and Keelia Nester reached on errors before Birkhimer drove them home with a one-out, two-RBI double to take a 6-2 lead. Birkhimer finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
NIU would claw their way back into the game, scoring two runs in the top of the fifth and two in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 6-6. That's when Birkhimer would win it for the Zips. Helfrich reached on a one-out bunt single before Birkhimer launched one to left for the two-run homer.
It looked like the Huskies might tie the game in the top of the seventh thanks to two singles to start the inning. However, Maurer would get a groundout on the next play and would get the next NIU batter to hit into the game-ending double play.
Maurer (14-19) earned the win, allowing five earn runs (six total) on 13 hits and striking out six while walking one. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate.
Akron and Northern Illinois will conclude the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Lee R. Jackson Field.
