BGSU softball (13-23, 5-7 MAC) exchanged shutouts with Northern Illinois (11-21, 6-7 MAC) in a Saturday doubleheader in Dekalb, Illinois, that saw only three runs cross the plate in 13 innings of play.
Impressive performances from junior Mackenzie Krafcik in game one and freshman Morgan Beckham in game two, paired with a complete game shutout in game two from NIU junior pitcher Lily Cassell, were the highlight of a day where both offenses struggled.
The Falcons squeezed by with a 1-0 victory in game one despite achieving only six hits across both games, reaching base only three times in a 2-0 loss in game two.
Game One
Krafcik earned her first career complete game shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Huskies in game one, allowing seven hits on only two strikeouts and 82 pitches en route to a performance that was barely good enough for a Falcon victory thanks to near-perfect outings from NIU pitchers Danielle Stewart and Taylor Mackin.
The lone Falcon run came in the fourth inning after shortstop Cameron Kaufman, who played in her first game since March 8 due to injury, fouled out on a sacrifice fly that scored junior Hannah Hunt from third and capitalized on Hunt’s single that was one of only three Falcon hits in game one.
Catcher Ava McKee and third baseman Addie Martin also earned hits in the game, and five Falcons got on base with walks.
Northern Illinois got to Krafcik at times throughout the game but failed to capitalize on their seven hits, leaving six runners on base and scoring none.
Game Two
Another pitcher’s duel was the conversation point of game two in DeKalb. After 10 combined hits between both teams in game one, the squads combined for seven in game two despite an increased 2-0 final score.
Cassell stole the show by following up a complete game with two earned runs against Ball State earlier in the week with a complete game shutout of her own, matching Krafcik while allowing three hits and striking out three Falcons, all while throwing only 67 pitches across the seven innings.
Beckham had a game of her own, throwing six innings and striking out, but her two earned runs would be two too many with a Falcon offense that continued to struggle in game two.
The Falcons got away with a three-hit victory in game one, but it is hard to win with that number of hits twice, as they failed to score in game two with only three hits and no walks.
NIU broke through to get their two runs in the third inning courtesy of a double steal and a double from third baseman Madison Mathews that scored left fielder Lia Nance.
The Falcons will be back in action for game three of the series against the Huskies on Sunday, April 6, at 1:00 p.m.
