Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Northwestern
Eagles Fall, 6-1, To Nortwestern at DeMarini Invite
3/19/2010 5:47:28 PM | Softball
The Eagles offense was stymied by Northwestern pitching, garnering just four hits on the afternoon
Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University softball team fell to previously-ranked Northwestern University, 6-1, at the DeMarini Invitational Friday afternoon, March 19. The Wildcats received a great outing by junior Jessica Smith, who threw a four-hitter to open up the tournament with a win.
The Eagles fall to 6-10 overall while Northwestern evens its record at 10-10 on the season.
The Wildcats scored an early two runs in the first inning, the second time in as many games that the Eagles have allowed two first inning runs. NU's Emily Haug provided the early hit with a two-run single to right field.
Jamie Melchert got the start for the Green and White and after a rough first inning, the junior settled down to hold the 'Cats scoreless for the next three innings. Northwestern was able to add an insurance run in the fifth when Kristin Scharkey singled to lead off the inning and then stole second and third before scoring on a groundout.
With the score 3-0 in favor of NU entering the seventh inning, the Eagles still seemed to be within striking distance. That was until the Wildcats tacked on a three-spot in the final inning thanks to three hits and a pair of EMU fielding miscues that made the score an insurmountable, 6-0, advantage.
The Eagles received an RBI single to right field by freshman Nellie Coquillard, driving in Jenny Scherer for the Eagles' lone tally of the ball game. It was one of four hits on the afternoon for EMU as Smith stymied the offensive attack in allowing just a run while striking out seven batters and walking just one.
Melchert allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking five in her fourth start of the season. The Eagles will play Ball State in a non-conference game, as well as, host Missouri as tournament action continues Saturday, March 20. The Eagles and Cardinals will play at 11 a.m. before EMU and Mizzou are slated to begin at 3 p.m. Both start times are Central Standard Time.
