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May 10, 2007

Box Score

MIDLAND, Mich. - A first-inning run proved to be the difference as the Northern Illinois Huskies (21-27) downed the Miami University softball team (26-35-1), 1-0, Thursday night in an elimination game at the 2007 Mid-American Conference Softball Tournament. Despite a complete-game three-hitter from freshman starting pitcher Shalise Lugo, a bases-loaded RBI groundout in the bottom of the first inning put Northern Illinois ahead for good and helped the Huskies advance in the loser's bracket of the conference tournament.

Allowing two earned runs of less for the 15th time in 18 starts, Lugo held the Huskies scoreless for the final five innings and allowed only three hits, all singles, in her ninth complete game of the season. Lugo, who struck out eight, was outdueled by Northern Illinois starter Kate Greenough, as she tossed a complete-game shutout and struck out five.

After retiring Miami in order in the top of the first, Northern Illinois pushed across its lone run of the game in the bottom of the first. After loading the bases with one out on a Krista Macpherson single and a pair of walks, Ellen Stoddard's groundout to first base gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead. Lugo wiggled out of further trouble in the inning as she fanned Ashley Clement, ending the threat.

The RedHawks' offense was held hitless until the sixth inning when junior Kimberly Williams led off the frame with a single to centerfield. Junior Natalie Savona followed with another single, putting a pair of runners on base with no outs, but Miami was unable to push across a run.

A two-out Miami rally loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but the offense again came up just short. Following a pair of quick outs, singles from freshman Alicia Hogl and junior Breanna Robinson breathed life into the RedHawks, but a strikeout ended the game and left both runners stranded.

Despite the loss, Miami finished the season by winning 12 of its final 16 games and doubling its MAC win total from seven in 2006 to 14 in 2007. The RedHawks made their fifth all-time appearance in the MAC Tournament and placed three players on the all-conference squads. First-year head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly also set a Miami record with 26 coaching victories, the most for a first-year head coach in program history.