DEKALB, Ill. – The Miami University softball team (20-13, 5-3 MAC) split its doubleheader at Northern Illinois (17-20, 4-6 MAC) to win the three-game series on Saturday two games to one. NIU took the first game by a 4-3 margin before Miami won game two 4-3.

Miami 3, Northern Illinois 4

Brianna Pratt started the day in the circle for Miami. She pitched four and one-third innings, giving up two runs (only one earned) on five hits. Pratt did not give up any walks and struck out one batter.

Courtney Vierstra replaced Pratt in the circle with one out in the fifth and runners on first and third. She finished the game, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out four.

Miami loaded the bases in the first inning but could not capitalize. Jenny Vasquez drew a one-out walk and was safe on a fielding error that saw Ashton Slone to first base. Johniann Wahl walked to load the bases with one out but a double play would end the inning.

The RedHawks struck first, scoring one run in the top of the third inning to break the scoreless tie. Haeley Tran hit a one-out double and advanced to third on an error that saw Vasquez safe at first. Tran scored on a passed ball with two outs.

Miami extended its lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth. Morgan Lott led off with a triple, her fifth of the season. She is now tied for fourth in program history in single-season triples and tied for seventh in program history with seven career triples. Kara Leckinger hit an RBI single to score Lott. Mackenzie Moore singled to put runners on first and second but they were stranded to end the inning.

Northern Illinois cut Miami's lead in half with a two-out home run in the bottom of the fourth.

NIU tied the game in the fifth inning on a pair of singles and a Miami fielding error before Vierstra relieved Pratt in the circle with one out and runners on first and third. Vierstra struck out the first batter she faced and the Miami defense got the next out to end the inning tied.

The game remained tied at two until the top of the seventh inning when Miami took a 3-2 lead. Moore led off with a single but was out on a fielder's choice that saw Vasquez safe at first. Slone hit a two-out RBI double to score Vasquez.

NIU won the game on a two-out walk-off RBI double after a single and walk put runners on base.

Moore led the Miami offense, going 2-of-3. Slone and Leckinger each had an RBI. Slone and Tran each had a double while Lott had a triple.

Miami 4, Northern Illinois 3

Taylor Rathe got the start in the circle for the final game of the series. She pitched five full innings and faced two batters in the sixth before being replaced by Vierstra. Rathe gave up two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four.

Vierstra came into the game in relief with no outs in the sixth and runners on second and third. She finished the game, giving up one run on four hits and no walks. Vierstra added two strikeouts.

Wahl put Miami on the board first with a solo shot in the second inning. That's her fifth home run of the season and 30^th of her career.

The RedHawks extended their lead to 4-0 in the fourth. Slone led off with her 11^th double of the season and Riley Coyne pinch ran. Coyne advanced to third on a single from Vasquez but was tagged out at home as Lily Wilmot reached base on a fielder's choice. Leckinger walked to load the bases with two outs. Jada Dotson hit her third triple of the season to score three.

Northern Illinois hit a single and double before Vierstra replaced Rathe in the circle. NIU scored twice on a pair of singles, cutting Miami's lead to 4-2 after six.

NIU scored once in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double with no outs, but three-straight outs by Miami's defense secured the win.

Dotson led Miami's offense with three RBI on her third triple of the season. Wahl hit her fifth home run of the season while Slone hit her 11^th double of the year.

UP AHEAD

Miami returns home to host Bowling Green for one game on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. for Code Red Appreciation Day.