Feb. 17, 2012

Final Stats

CU-NIU Box Score

DENTON, Texas - The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped a 5-4 decision to Creighton in extra innings in its opening game of the Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic hosted by North Texas Friday.

After falling behind, 4-0, after four innings, the Huskies (3-3) battled back with a four spot in the bottom of the sixth. Nicole Gremillion (Missouri City, Texas/Elkins) began the rally with a lead off double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Dani Parrish (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield).

Stephanie Tofft (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln) doubled to left field, scoring Gremillion and putting herself in scoring position. Shelby Miller continued the hit parade with a double of her own to score Tofft from second and cut the deficit in half, 4-2. NIU tied the game, 4-4, on an Emily Woller two-run single.

The Huskies held Creighton (5-0) scoreless in the top of the seventh, but was unable to cross the plate in the bottom of the frame and the contest went into extra innings. The Blue Jays scored the game-winning run on a fielder's choice in the top of the eighth.

Tofft led the way for the Huskies going 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored, while Woller was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Northern Illinois returns to the diamond later this afternoon when the Huskies take on host North Texas. First pitch will be around 4:30 p.m.

-NIU-