DEKALB, Ill. - The Fighting Leathernecks lost two games with Northern Illinois on Tuesday, March 23 in the Huskies home opener at Mary M. Bell Field.
The Leathernecks (14-7) lost the first game with the Huskies (8-15) by a score of 4-0 and the second contest, 2-0.
"We are going to work on our hitting the rest of the week in practice before our home opener this weekend against UMKC," said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "We were a little rusty this afternoon and that showed. No worries, we will get back to work and be prepared for our games this weekend."
Game 1: Northern Illinois 4, Western Illinois 0
With one out in the first inning, Western strung two hits together by Lauren Furgala and Beth Golitko to give the Leathernecks runners in scoring position. However, a Jamie Goss line out and an Erin Schlotfeldt strikeout left the runners stranded to finish the inning.
Leaving runners on base was the story line of the contest as the Leathernecks were able to pound out six hits, but left a total of 10 runners stranded on base throughout the contest.
The Huskies used a four-run inning in the bottom of the second to take a 4-0 advantage and never look back. Northern Illinois scored on an RBI single by Krista Matsui and a three RBI triple by Dani Parrish.
Both teams recorded six hits in the contest and did not commit an error. Julie DePolo, Furgala, Golitko, Goss, Lori Pankratz and Schlotfeldt all recorded a hit in the game.
Kamren Ferguson (7-4) took the loss in the circle, striking out eight batters and walked two.
Game 2: Northern Illinois 2, Western Illinois 0
In the bottom of the third, Zoe Sinner hit an RBI single to center field to give Northern an early 1-0 lead. The Huskies then took a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the sixth on a Adriana Sanchez RBI double.
Western struggled from the plate, only collecting three hits in the contest led by Golitko who was 2-for-3 at the plate. Goss added the Leathernecks other only hit.
Pankratz (5-3) took the loss from the circle, throwing five strikeouts and only allowing three hits in the contest.
The Leathernecks are back in action on March 26-27 as they play host to UMKC to open home play at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.
