April 16, 2008

Box Score in PDF Format

DEKALB, Ill.-The Northern Illinois University softball team suffered a setback Wednesday afternoon, falling to No. 20 DePaul University in a nonconference tilt at Mary M. Bell Field, 9-1, in five innings.

The Huskies (9-21, 3-5) played well through the first two innings, holding the Blue Demons (30-12, 7-3) to one run on one through the first two innings. However, NIU was unable to get things going offensively during that stretch.

DePaul opened the game up in the third inning scoring three runs on three hits and one error. The Huskies responded in the bottom half of the inning. Down 4-0 with one out, Dani Thompson (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon) got things going when she reached on a throwing error by the catcher. She then stole second, putting her in scoring position for Krista McPherson (Beecher, Ill./Beecher).

McPherson delivered with a single to right field, scoring Thompson. McPherson then stole second to give the Huskies another opportunity to score, but was stranded at second base. That would be all the offense the Huskies would muster the rest of the game.

Up 5-1 heading into the fifth, the Blue Demons scored four runs in the top of the inning, giving DePaul a 9-1 lead. The Huskies were unable to scratch across another run to extend the game. Errors played a big factor in the loss for Northern Illinois. The Huskie defense committed four miscues in the game, including two in the four-run fifth.

"We saw so many first strikes," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "When you're facing a pitcher that has good movement and all she wants to do is get ahead of you and you don't swing at the first pitch, you're putting yourself behind the eight ball. We did that a lot today and that definitely hurt us."

The loss was especially tough to take for Chouinard. A standout for the Blue Demons during her playing days, and an assistant coach for Blue Demon head master Eugene Lenti, she was hoping for a better result against her alma mater.

"It's a little bit bittersweet," Chouinard said. "I have a lot of good friendships with the kids I used to coach, the coaches and the people that are there."

The Huskies are back in action Friday, April 18 when NIU begins an eight-game road trip at Bowling Green. The Huskies will play a doubleheader against the Falcons before heading to Toledo for a weekend set with the Rockets.