DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University softball team dropped its season finale, 12-0, to Miami at Mary M. Bell Field Sunday.
The Huskies (19-37, 13-27) fell behind early as the RedHawks (46-8, 36-2) jumped out to an early lead with seven runs in the first inning. Miami came back with five more runs in the top of the second.
NIU's bats were held in check by Miami's Courtney Vierstra who held the Huskies to six hits on the day.
Katie Keller led the way for NIU going 2-for-3 on the day with a stolen base. Senior
Kira Mickelson went 1-for2 with her final hit as a Huskie going for a lead-off double to left field in the third.
Emily Dato came in and pitched three strong innings of relief. The Huskie freshman shut down the potent RedHawk attack, allowing two hits in the three innings.
"Great for Dato to come in there and shut them down," NIU head coach
Christina Sutcliffe said. "It stopped their momentum and give us a chance there."
Keller wrapped up her junior year leading NIU in 12 offensive categories. The Geneva, Ill. native batted .422 with 65 hits, 31 for extra bases, including a school-record 23 doubles and enters next season needing five doubles to break the school's career doubles mark. She tallied a career-high seven home runs, giving her 14 for her career.
-NIU-
