The Northern Illinois University softball team was edged out by Buffalo, 3-2, in the series finale at Mary M. Bell Field on Sunday afternoon.
As in Saturday’s game, Buffalo (10-20, 2-2) took the first lead of the game, scoring three runs in the second inning on three hits and an error. Just like yesterday, NIU pitcher Morgan Bittner (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) settled in and kept NIU in the game.
“Morgan did a good job mixing it up,” NIU coach Lindsay Chouinard said. “It’s the second day seeing the same team and she did a good job. You can’t ask for anything more.”
The Huskies (12-20, 2-2) scored their first in the bottom of the fourth when Ashley Cann, who was pinch running for Michelle Williams, scored on a pair of Buffalo errors. After Carly Norton (lined out to Bull’s pitcher Sharon Barr, Barr threw the ball into center field attempting to throw out Cann, who stole second base, allowing her to advance to third. Cann then scored on an errant throw by the UB center fielder.
Buffalo threatened to add to it lead in the top of the fifth. With the score 3-1 and runners on second and third with two outs, Bittner got Terese Diaz to strike out looking and ending the inning. The Huskies got one run closer on a single to center by pinch hitter Jennifer Barnett to drive in Zoe Sinner. However, that would be as close as the Huskies would get.
Bittner (8-8) took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on nine hits, while Barr earned the victory, scattering seven Huskie hits.
