March 14, 2008

NIU-PSU

NIU-WASH

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Northern Illinois softball team dropped two games at Erv Lind Stadium on Friday evening, losing to Portland State, 3-1, and No. 22 Washington, 4-1, in a rain shortened five-inning game. The Huskies' record is now 5-7 as both Portland State (12-16) and Washington (17-8-1) better their records by one game.

Against Portland State, NIU scored only one run on a homer by senior Michelle Nendza (Palos Park, Ill./Lemont Mt. Assisi) as freshman Joreigh Landers (Vernonia, Ore/Vernonia) took the loss. Landers (2-2) pitched five innings while giving up three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

NIU's story in the second game of the day against No. 22 Washington went in a similar fashion to the first, but ended after only five innings due to rain. NIU's only tally was a Nendza solo home run. Northern Illinois senior Taryn Hagemann (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) took the mound for the first three innings and was on the hook for the loss. Hagemann (0-3) gave up four earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts.

The Huskies finish their spring trip tomorrow at Corvallis, Ore when NIU plays a doubleheader with Oregon State (15-13) at 1 p.m. CT.

-NIU-