In a game that featured a combined ten hits, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball squad (12-22, 7-8 MAC) fell against the University at Buffalo Bulls (9-24, 4-8 MAC) in a final score of 3-1.

Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) went 2-of-3 at the plate today and started in the pitcher’s circle for the Huskies. Stewart recorded three strikeouts in three innings for NIU, facing 17 batters.
“We did not make adjustments at the plate, and we needed better situational hitting,” said NIU head coach Kathryn Gleason. “We will be prepared to come back and battle tomorrow.”

Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) marked the first hit and the first stolen base of the game for NIU, after leading off with a single up the middle. Turner has now recorded a hit in six of the last seven games for NIU.

Rylie Hartman (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) had the second hit of the day before Stewart singled in the third to reach base. The Huskies put runners in scoring positions before the Bulls defense collected a pair of outs to end the inning.

The Bulls struck first on the scoreboard with a solo home run from Abbey Nagel in the third before adding a pair of runs in the fifth inning to lead 3-0.

After marking the lone double of the day for NIU, Stewart scored the lone run of the day for NIU. Stewart crossed home plate on an RBI single by Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) in the sixth inning.

The Huskies allowed only one hit in the final two innings of play as they fell to the Bulls in the first game of the series.

NIU and Buffalo continue series action tomorrow (April 12) in a doubleheader with first pitch slated for 12 p.m. CT.