March 18, 2010

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University softball team is back in action this weekend as the Huskies travel to Tampa, Fla. to compete in the USF The Game Tournament hosted by the University of South Florida March 19-21.

NIU (4-12) heads to Florida looking to build on a 2-2 showing at the Amy S. Harrison Classic over the weekend. Northern Illinois earned a 1-0 over Idaho State and a 7-6 extra inning triumph over the host Highlanders of UC-Riverside in the final game of the tournament. The Huskies received from solid individual performances from their trip to California last week.

Freshman Monica Segura (Santa Ana, Calif./Segerstrom Fundamental) had a breakout week from both the pitching circle and at the plate. In four appearances, she went 1-1, picking up her first career victory, posting a 0.00 ERA in 14 and a third innings pitched. Segura was 5-for-13, hitting her first career homer, with three runs and two runs batted in. Zoe Sinner (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) went 6-for-20 with six RBIs and four runs scored. She hit three home runs in her seven games played, including her first career dinger against San Diego.

NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard is hoping see similar individual performances from other members of the team after the work the Huskies turned in on the practice field this past week.

“We’re hoping to see some adjustments at the plate this weekend,” Chouinard said. “We worked hard this week on skill work and making adjustments offensively and doing things the right way. Hopefully we can see that translate in our games.”

The Huskies will face open the tournament with two games on Friday, facing Towson at 10 a.m. and the host Bulls at 3 p.m. NIU will play Florida Gulf Coast and Florida State on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively and closes out its weekend with Florida A&M Sunday morning at 8 a.m. All game times are Central.Fans can follow all theaction live via USF The Game Tournament Central.