DeKALB, Ill. – The Toledo softball team dropped an 8-3 decision to Northern Illinois in the series opener on Friday afternoon at Mary M. Bell Field.
The Huskies (11-24, 4-9 MAC) took an early 1-0 lead in the second, until
Emily Bracamonte and
Lauren Erickson each hit solo homers in the top of the third inning to give Toledo (18-15, 9-4 MAC) a 2-1 advantage. NIU then scored five in the bottom of the third and two more in the fourth to take control.
Bracamonte's homer was her first as a Rocket, while Erickson's blast was her second this season.
Junior
Sophia Knight (12-7) allowed six runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings in the defeat. Junior
Kylee Graham came on in relief and struck out four batters and gave up three hits in relief.
The Rockets and Huskies will wrap up their weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m. (EST).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Danielle Stewart's leadoff homer in the second gave Northern Illinois a 1-0 lead.
- Emily Bracamonte and Lauren Erickson each homered to lead to put Toledo ahead, 2-1, in the third.
- NIU took back the lead with five runs in the third, highlighted by Caitlyn Schumaker's three-run homer.
- Madison Matthews extended the Huskies' lead with a two-run homer in the fourth.
- Riley Mohr's sacrifice fly to right field plated the contest's final run.