The University of Massachusetts softball team lost 3-2 to Northern Illinois on Mar. 27 in the first game of a three-game series. The matchup took place in DeKalb, with Massachusetts now holding an overall record of 8-18 and a conference record of 1-6, while Northern Illinois improved to 10-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
This result matters for both teams as they continue their respective seasons and seek to improve their standings within the Mid-American Conference. Each game impacts potential postseason opportunities.
Riain Keefe, Tiegan Walsh, and Eliana Raposo accounted for all three hits by Massachusetts, while Brooke Musch drove in both runs for the Minutewomen. The scoring began in the third inning when consecutive singles from Walsh and Raposo set up a situation where a fielding error allowed both runners to score after Keefe’s sacrifice bunt moved them into position. This gave Massachusetts an early two-run lead.
Northern Illinois responded by scoring one run in the fourth inning before adding two more runs on two hits and a walk during the sixth inning, taking a decisive lead at 3-2. In the final frame, Massachusetts was retired in order as Northern Illinois secured its tenth win of the season.
Hannah Streicher took her eighth loss for UMass after allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings pitched. Madison Carlson remained unbeaten this season for NIU with four wins; she gave up only two unearned runs on three hits while striking out seven batters.
The Minutewomen will finish out their weekend series against Northern Illinois with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
