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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio softball team (7-6, 3-1 MAC) saw a seven game win streak snapped as they split a doubleheader with Northern Illinois (6-11, 1-3 MAC) Sunday (March 21) afternoon. Ohio won game one 4-3, before dropping game two 12-2 in five innings. 

Game One: Ohio 4, NIU 3
Ohio picked up right where they left off yesterday, out-hitting the Huskies 7-4. Graduate student Mikenzie Vaughn(Kennesaw, Ga.) went 2-of-2 at the plate, including her second home run of the weekend, which was the go-ahead run. 

Ohio took the lead early in the game, scoring two unearned runs in the first. With runners on second and third and two outs, Ohio capitalized on a throwing error by the catcher to score their first run. A RBI single by freshman third baseman Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) brought home the second run of the inning. 

Ohio pushed their lead to three in the bottom of the second. A fielding error by the pitcher allowed senior center fielder Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) to reach first and junior first baseman Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) to score. 

The Huskies plated three runs in the third to tie the game. The Huskies had runners on second and third before a RBI single plated their first run. Junior designated player Carley Goetschius sent a triple down the right field line, scoring two runs, both unearned. 

A solo home run for Vaughn in the bottom of the fourth would be the final run of the game. 

Junior pitcher Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) picked up her second win of the weekend pitching a complete game, striking out five, allowing four hits and three runs, one earned. 

For Northern Illinois, freshman starting pitcher Claire Norred gave up four runs on seven hits, only two earned. 

Game Two: Northern Illinois 12, Ohio 2 (Five innings)
Northern Illinois out-hit the Bobcats 14-4 in game two. 

Vaughn went 1-of-3 in the second game, driving in both runs on a 2-RBI double. Senior shortstop Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio) went 1-of-2 with a single and a stolen base. 

Northern Illinois got on the board in the second inning scoring two to take an early 2-0 lead on a pair of hits and an error. Goetschius hit her second home run of the weekend in the third inning to extend the lead to 3-0. 

Northern Illinois didn't stop there, tallying another three runs in the fourth. The Huskies jumped to a 12-0 lead after recording six runs on six hits in the fifth. 

Ohio ended the shutout in the fifth inning. With runners on first and third, Vaughn drove a 2-RBI double to left center. 

Senior starting pitcher Madi McCrady (Brimfield, Ohio) was tagged with the loss. McCrady went five innings, giving up 14 hits, 12 runs, 10 of which were earned, and striking out four.

Northern Illinois' starting pitcher Delaney Ostrowski earned the win, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks. 

UP NEXT
Ohio returns to action with a four-game series against Western Michigan starting on March 26. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET at the OSF. 

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