NIU Rallies in Late Innings to Take Series Opener

Friday, March 29

DeKalb, Ill.

4:00 p.m.

Kent State University

17-9, 0

Northern Illinois

8-19, 0

Kent State

NIU

Photo by: Elsye Jones

NIU Rallies in Late Innings to Take Series Opener

3/29/2024 6:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. – Kent State fell to host Northern Illinois, 3-2, in the opener of a Mid-American Conference series on Friday after the host scored twice in the bottom of the seventh.

The Golden Flashes (17-9, 3-1 MAC) started the scoring in the top of the first inning, as junior Savannah Wing ripped her 12 double of the season before moving to third on a single by sophomore Bri Despines and scoring on a sac fly by senior Emily Lippe.

Graduate student Julia Mazanec launched a solo shot over the fence in left field to start the top of the fourth and make it a 2-0 game.

NIU got on the board with a pair of two-out doubles in the bottom of the fifth.

After recording the final out in the bottom of the sixth to strand a pair of Huskies runners, freshman Megan Nuechterlein started the bottom of the seventh with a strikeout. A walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases and sophomore Macy Irelan returned to the circle for Kent State. Irelan punched out the first batter she faced but the next sent a hopper off a pair of Flashes fielders and into left field to bring in the tying and winning runs.

Sophomore Brynn Libler led the offense with two hits, while Mazanec was hit by a pitch and also reached base twice.

Irelan totaled six innings and had six strikeout while allowing one run on six hits.

Kent State and NIU will play a doubleheader on Saturday to finish the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

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