Area roundup: NIU softball wins on emotional day; Sycamore softball crushes Rochelle

In front of a packed house full of fans and the 1988 World Series team at Mary M. Bell Field, the Northern Illinois softball team held off the Western Michigan Broncos, 2-1, on Friday to open a Mid-American Conference series.

“The energy that was in the stadium was absolutely amazing,” NIU coach Christina Sutcliffe said. “Obviously celebrating the 1988 team, having that energy from that, but thanks to Rod Carey getting the football team out there and giving us some extra support.”

The scoring was hard to come by from both sides.

For NIU (18-26, 9-8 MAC), starting pitcher Alex Frenz allowed only one hit in the first five innings with four strikeouts.

For Western Michigan (23-21, 10-9 MAC), hurler Jordan Kurth pitched her way around a Huskie scoring threat in the second inning.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth. NIU put two runners on base with one out as sophomore Anne Allen singled and freshman Kira Mickelson was hit by a pitch. Junior Katie Lamich then reached on an infield single to shortstop Brooke Wyman. Wyman attempted to get Mickelson out at second, but her throw went into the outfield, allowing pinch runner Katie Wingerter to score the game’s first run.

PREP SOFTBALL

Sycamore rolls past Rochelle: An 11-run sixth powered a 17-2 win for the Spartans.

Hannah Mizgalski picked up the win, allowing two earned runs and six hits, while striking out nine. Ally Polly was 3 for 4 with a home run and five RBIs, while Haley Trela also hit a homer.

Mizgalski was 2 for 3, Kenzie Scholsser added two hits and three RBIs, and Gracyn Gabriel was 3 for 5 and drove in two.

“Hitting is contagious and we caught fire there in the sixth inning,” Sycamore coach Jill Carpenter said. “It was also good to see that happening off of three different types of pitchers. I like that we were able to adjust quickly and keep things going in a positive direction.”

Sycamore improved to 13-5 overall and 6-1 in conference.

Genoa-Kingston routs Dixon: The Cogs picked up their fourth straight conference victory, 10-0.

Ashley Clement notched the shutout for the Cogs (10-8, 7-4), striking out 10 in five innings. Ashley Peterson, Cassie Bade and Leea Perry each had two hits, while Peterson and Madison Wagner each drove in two.

PREP BASEBALL

Indian Creek run-rules Newark: The Timberwolves rolled to a 12-2 win.

Tyler Swanson was 3 for 4 and drove in four runs.

R.J. McCoy and Griffin Rissman each had two hits for Indian Creek (9-9-1, 6-3-1).

COLLEGE BASEBALL

NIU falls in extras: Ball State was a 3-2 winner over the Huskies in 11 innings in Muncie, Indiana.

The Huskies (15-26, 5-11) scored both their runs in the first two innings.

“Hard fought battle between two good teams,” Huskies coach Mike Kunigonis said. “The difference in the game was they got the big hit and we didn’t.”

LATE THURSDAY

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

Genoa-Kingston fourth at Richmond-Burton: The Cogs finished with 67½ points in the all-relays format.

The shot put relay of Jayna Ratliff, Hannah Mueller and Maddie Grimser won with a total of 88 feet, 2 inches.