University of Toledo
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Softball: Toledo Falls to Northern Illinois, 10-3
3/30/2001 12:00:00 PM | Softball
Toledo, OH - The Toledo softball team dropped a 10-3 decision to Northern Illinois in the Rockets' 2001 home opener at the Softball Complex at Scott Park on Friday afternoon.
Junior Colette McMasters (3-5) took the loss for the Rockets. She surrendered 10 runs (six earned) on nine base hits, to go along with five strikeouts and five walks. 2000 MAC Pitcher of the Year Courtney Witvliet threw the first six innings for NIU, yielding all three earned runs. Her record improves to 5-6.
"This was a frustrating loss today," Toledo Head Coach Michelle Fagnant. "To committ four errors is just unexcusable. We are making too many mistakes on routine plays and that is just killing us. We can't continue to did this if we plan on being a successful team this season."
The Rockets (10-12, 0-3 MAC) were led on offense by sophomore Jenny Schaaf, who clubbed her second home run of the season in the sixth inning and finished 2-for-3. Senior Laurie Nagel, junior Kalika Stavroulakis and freshman Vicki Nelson, each collected one hit for the Midnight Blue and Gold.
NIU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two RBI double by Suzie Rizek.
Toledo answered in the bottom of the frame, using three hits to tie the score. With one out and Stavroulakis on first, Nagel drilled a Witvliet change-up over the center fielders field for a stand-up triple, scoring the Rockets' third basemen. Nagel then came home on an RBI double to the gap in left center by Nelson.
The Huskies plated a run in the third and the game-winning run in the sixth on a two RBI single by Samantha Knoll.
NIU added five runs in the top of the seventh to stretch its lead and make the final, 10-3.
The Rockets had their chances in the seventh inning, as sophomore Tiffany Edgar and senior Kristy Kassotis reached base with no outs. NIU reliever Anne Hamilton was able to get the last three UT batters to go in order and preserve the win.
The Rockets square off in a doubleheader with Northern Illinois tomorrow starting at 1:00 p.m.
