Softball | March 12
DeKALB, Ill.-- Opening the Mid-American Conference slate of games at home, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team (5-12) is set to host the Central Michigan University Chippewas (7-13) in a three-game series at Mary M. Bell Field beginning on March 14. The Huskies and Chippewas will have first pitch in a doubleheader on March 14 at 1 p.m. followed by a single game on March 15 at 1 p.m. This is a change from the originally published schedule due to inclement weather predicted for the weekend.
The Huskies and Chippewas opened the MAC slate together last season, with the Chippewas taking the series 2-1. NIU opened with a 4-0 shutout win before dropping the final two games by a combined total of three runs.
Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) went 5-for-10 at the plate with two runs scored.
Madison Mathews (Yuma, Ariz./Cibola) went 4-of-7 at the plate and
Avery Carnahan (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) went 4-of-10 at the plate. Carnahan scored four runs for the Huskies in last years' series.
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) made two appearances in the pitcher's circle for the Huskies, recording 14 strikeouts in the games.
Friday's first game will be the 74th meeting between the programs. NIU trails in the all-time series, 35-52-1.
Heading into the game this weekend, the Huskies are batting at a clip of .237 while their ERA sits at 4.54. The Chippewas are batting at a rate of .284 with an ERA of 4.30.
When the Huskies make their debut this season at Mary M. Bell, they will be led by Mathews at the plate, batting at .345 through 18 games this season. Mathews leads the team with 19 hits, six doubles, and two home runs.
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) is the second Huskies batting above .300 this season, sitting a .310 with 18 hits and eight runs scored this season. Mathews is in the top-15 in the MAC for batting average this season and in the top-10 for doubles this season.
In the pitcher's circle for the Huskies,
Taylor Mackin (Minooka, Ill./Minooka Community) leads the Huskies with an ERA of 4.28 and is joined by Stewart with an ERA of .4.94. Stewart leads the team with 27 strikeouts. The duo is holding NIU's opponents to a batting average of .299 or less.
CMU is led at the plate by Tori Briggs, Carly Sleeman, and London Williams who have batting averages of .388, .379, and .311 respectively. Sleeman leads the team with seven home runs this season. In the circle, the Chippewas are led by Madelyn Wallace with an ERA of 2.71. Mackenzie Langan leads the Chippewas pitchers with 23 strikeouts this season with 11 appearances.
