The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Northern Illinois
Softball Drops Doubleheader at NIU in MAC Opener
March 28 | Softball
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GAME 1 STATS in PDF
GAME 2 STATS in PDF
DeKALB, Ill. – The University of Akron softball team opened Mid-American Conference play with two losses at Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon.
In the first game, the Zips lost 9-1 in six innings. In game 2, NIU pulled out a 9-8 win.
Akron fell to 12-13 overall and 0-2 to open MAC play. The Huskies improved to 15-13 overall and 2-0 in league play.
"We were not please with game one and out overall play," head coach Julie Jones said. "We did not do our jobs individually or as a team. We came out strong in game two and worked very hard to tie it up late, but we were not sharp enough to close it out."
In the first game, the Huskies scored in the bottom of the first. They added six runs in the bottom of the third to go ahead 7-0.
Akron scored its only run in the top of the fourth as freshman Caitlin Gambone (Canton, Ohio) doubled to right field, bringing in sophomore third baseman Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio), who reached on a double, with two outs.
NIU added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth for the final 9-1 tally.
Junior right-hander Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) took the loss. She hurled 2.2 innings, striking out three batters and walking one.
Overall, NIU out-hit Akron, 8-4. The Zips had three errors to NIU's two.
In game two, Akron scored its first run in the top of the first as senior second baseman Kellie Roudabush (Hilliard, Ohio) homered down the left field line.
The Zips added three runs in the top of the second to go ahead 4-0. Freshman first baseman Cassie Gillespie (Sylvania, Ohio) reached on an error for an RBI, bringing in Taryn Allmon (Grove City, Ohio), who reached on a fielder's choice. Nicholas nailed a two RBI single, scoring Gillespie and freshman Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio).
NIU came within two with two runs in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the third, the Huskies scored six runs in the bottom of the third to go ahead 8-4.
Akron added two runs in the top of the sixth to close the gap, 8-6. Gillespie doubled to center, brining in Kirian, who reached on a double. Sophomore outfielder Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) then doubled to center, bringing in Gillespie.
The Zips tied the game at 8-8 in the top of the seventh with run by Gambone and senior outfielder Sara Pearson (Somerville, Ohio).
NIU scored the game-winning run on a one-out double.
Seiler (12-8 overall, 0-2 MAC) threw a complete game. She struck out six and walked five. Overall, NIU out-hit UA, 10-9. The Huskies committed two errors to Akron's one.
The Zips return to Akron for their home opener against St. Francis (Pa.) with a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 31, at 3 p.m. at Lee R. Jackson Field.
