Northwestern narrowly escaped a midweek upset against Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Illinois, on Tuesday.
It came down to the wire, but two runs toward the end of the game allowed the Wildcats (24-19, 11-7 Big Ten) to secure a 5-4 comeback victory over the Huskies (21-13, 14-5 MAC).
NU has never lost to NIU, holding an 18-0 all-time record.
The Huskies led the game first, scoring in the first and second innings to take a 3-0 lead.
NIU’s first run came from an error by the ’Cats, which was a recurring problem as NU finished the night with five errors. By comparison, the Huskies only tallied one.
Senior first baseman Kansas Robinson put the ’Cats on the scoreboard with a two-run homer to right field in the fourth inning. Later in the inning, junior left fielder Isabel Cunnea hit an RBI double to tie up the game at 3-3.
NIU retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In its final chance to save the upset, NU took the lead in the seventh inning.
Sophomore center fielder Kaylie Avvisato hit an RBI double to tie the game. Avvisato scored the winning run, tagging up on a fly out hit by junior catcher Emma Raye.
Junior pitcher Riley Grudzielanek started the game for the ’Cats, pitching three innings and allowing three runs.
Freshman pitcher Marina Mason was credited with the win after pitching 3.2 scoreless innings to close the game. She was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on Monday following her 3-0 weekend. Over the weekend, she had a 0.00 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 0.125 opposing average and two complete game shutouts against Michigan State.
The ’Cats have now won each of their last seven games.
NU next travels to West Lafayette, Indiana, for its weekend series against Purdue. The ’Cats’ first game will be on Friday at 4 p.m.
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