Two-Run Seventh Inning Proplels Eagles to Win Over NIU

Box Score

DEKALB, Ill.- A two-run rally in the seventh inning allowed the Eastern Michigan University softball team to top Northern Illinois University, 9-8, Sunday, April 26 at Mary M. Bell Field. Down 8-7 entering the final inning of action, the Eagles put two runs on the board off a Jenny Scherer single and a Lauren Delapaz fielder's choice to earn the win.

With the win, EMU improves to 17-29 (5-13 MAC) while NIU falls to 14-33 (9-9 MAC). Junior pitcher and Illinois native Michelle Hletko (Westmont, Ill.-Westmont) picked up the win in the circle, pitching 4.1 innings of relief, giving up one run on four hits while striking out four batters. Hletko was also one of four Eagles to record multiple hits on the afternoon, going 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Junior outfielder Jenny Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) was 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, including a two-run home run. Heather Han (Lafayette, Ind.-McCutcheon) and Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Amanda Clearcreek) also had two base knocks each.

Both teams got off to a hot start offensively, combining for eight runs in the first inning to leave the frame knotted at 4-4. A Han triple scored a run, followed by a Tolliver double to plate two more runs. Hletko then singled to score Tolliver, giving the Eagles an early 4-0 lead.

The Huskies responded in their half of the first inning, scoring four of their own to even the score. A Scherer two-run homer in the third allowed the Eagles to take a 6-4 advantage, but NIU answered again with a big, three-run inning to go ahead 7-6.

An RBI double by Han in the fourth tied the game at 7-7, which lasted until NIU plated a run in the fifth. Entering the seventh inning, down by a count of 8-7, the Eagles began a rally.

Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) drew a walk to start the seventh, crossing the plate on a Scherer single to right center. Delapaz reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Scherer to score, giving the Eagles their first lead since the top of the third inning, 9-8.

EMU allowed NIU's first batter to reach base in the bottom of the seventh but came up with three straight outs to record the win.

The Eagles return to Varsity Field, Tuesday, April 28, for a rescheduled doubleheader against Oakland University. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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