Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Walk-Off Home Run Leads Softball Past Northern Illinois in Exta Innings,5-3
4/1/2006 5:18:36 PM | Softball
Extra inning blast caps come back
YPSILANTI, Mich. – A two-out two-run walk-off home run in the eighth inning gave the Eastern Michigan University softball team its second consecutive come-from-behind victory in as many days, as the Eagles defeated Northern Illinois 5-3, in Mid-American Conference action, here today at Varsity Field.
With the win EMU, improves to 14-17 overall and 2-1 in league play, while NIU falls to 10-12 (0-3 MAC).
The Eagles pounded out 11 hits in the contest with sophomore first baseman Ashley Strauss’ (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) two-run home run to deep leftfield in the bottom of the eighth being the difference maker in the game.
Strauss finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Junior outfielder Lindsay Schmid (Madison, Ohio-Madison) was 3-for-4 with an RBI, while junior shortstop Lauren Clark (Flat Rock, Mich.New Boston Huron) had two hits and an RBI. Lead-off hitter Heather Giroux (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) had two hits and scored three runs as Eagles batters one through four went 9-for-16 in the game.
Senior pitcher Nikki Denman (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview) threw eight innings fanning eight Huskies en route to the victory. Denman improves to 6-4 on the season.
The Huskies scored first in the second inning off a solo home run by Bailey Ouellette. EMU tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth after an RBI single by Schmid.
NIU took a 3-1 lead after a two run homer by Kelly Drodz in the sixth. In the bottom half of the seventh, the Eagles rallied to tie the game after an RBI single by Clark who advanced to third after an error by the right fielder. A sacrifice fly by freshman third baseman Heather Han (Lafayette, Ind.-McCutcheon) plated Clark to tie game at 3-3.
In the extra frame, Giroux singled down the leftfield line with two outs, setting the stage for Strauss’ two-run shot to end the game.
EMU will conclude its six-game home stand tomorrow, April 2, in a rematch with NIU. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
