March 7, 2008

NIU Overall Stats

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois softball team was scheduled to play a tournament at Saint Louis, Mo. against Evansville and Saint Louis this weekend, but a snow storm caused the games to be pushed back a day. As a result of the schedule changes, Evansville dropped out, forcing NIU (4-2) and Saint Louis (4-9) to play a doubleheader on Monday, March 10 at 2 p.m.

Stealing Runs

During a successful appearance at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament last weekend where the Huskies took four of six games, NIU drew 12 walks and stole 13 bases to help generate 18 runs. NIU is averaging three runs per game and has a team batting average of .245 with a .255 average with runners in scoring position. Even though NIU has converted 10 of 12 opportunities with a runner on third and less than two outs, Huskie head coach Lindsay Chouinard wants the team to improve their hitting to help sustain rallies.

"This week we have worked really hard on hitting mechanics and making adjustments," said Chouinard. "The girls viewed their film and have now seen the changes they need to make as well as what was right when they had success. With three days of individual work, I am planning to see a much more potent offense."

Limiting The Opponent

The Huskie pitching staff composed of senior Taryn Hagemann (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle), sophomore Kate Greenough (Portland, Ore./David Douglas) and freshman Joreigh Landers (Vernonia, Ore./Vernonia) has been the key to NIU's successful start as they are limiting opponents to a .184 batting average and just over one earned run per game. Even when runners do get on base, the NIU pitchers are just as tough, holding their foes to a .188 batting average. Despite the solid work of the pitchers, former DePaul All-American pitcher Chouinard still sees room for improvement.

"The season is a marathon, not a sprint," said Chouinard. "I am looking for personal and team progression. I need the pitchers to get and work from ahead in the count and limit walks. The defense needs to rise to the occasion when they are called upon. This is a group of very capable and athletic players. They need to make it happen."

Leaders

Senior Michelle Nendza (Palos Park, Ill./Lemont Mt. Assisi) leads the team in most hitting categories. She has a team-high .500 batting average, eight hits, 11 total bases, one home run, a .688 slugging percentage and is tied with junior Bailey Ouellette (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) for the team lead in RBI with four. Ouellette also has a team-best .571 on-base percentage and four walks. Junior Jenna Roberts (Verona, Wis./West) and Landers each have four runs scored. Senior Krista McPherson (Beacher, Ill./Beacher) has four of NIU's 13 stolen bases.

On the mound, Greenough (2-1) has a Huskie-best 1.42 earned run average, 19 innings pitched and 18 strikeouts. Hagemann (0-1) has held hitters to a .130 batting average in 54 at-bats. Landers (2-0) has only given up a team-low four runs in 10 innings, three of which have been earned.

NIU's Record vs. Saint Louis

The Huskies lead the all-time series against Saint Louis, 2-0. April 24, 1987 was the last time the two met, resulting in a 9-2 NIU win at home.

NIU is 110-116-2 against Atlantic 10 opponents and most recently beat Massachusetts, 2-0, in 2007.

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