MIAMI SOFTBALL

RedHawks down Huskies to close regular season 

REAGAN BARTHOLOMEW (MVSmith/MRO file)

DeKALB, IL -- Karli Spaid and Reagan Bartholomew drilled two-run homers as No. 21 Miami ended its regular season with a 5-2 win over Northern Illinois (18-34, 9-19 MAC) Sunday at Mary M. Bell Field.
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Madilyn Reeves (19-3) picked up the win, striking out five while allowing five hits and both Huskie runs. Addy Jarvis finished, picking up a save in one scoreless inning of work. The combo did not walk a batter. Danielle Stewart (10-10) took the loss for NIU. 

It was the ninth straight victory for Miami (45-7, 25-1 MAC), which now  . . .

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​. . . turns its attention to the upcoming MAC Softball Tournament. That event begins Wednesday at historic Firestone Stadium in Akron and should finish Saturday, May 11. The RedHawks are defending champions. 

Miami's' offense totaled nine hits on the day, with Spaid (2-for-3), Holly Blaska (2-for-4) and Chloe Parks (2-for-4) each contributing two safeties. Kate Kobayashi, meanwhile, went 1-for-2 and walked twice in the leadoff spot.

KARLI SPAID (MVSmith/MRO file)

MIAMI 5, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2
-- The RedHawks struck quickly, grabbing a 2-0 lead two batters into the game. Kobayashi opened with a single and Spaid followed with a homer to left. 
-- Neither team scored until the fourth. Once again, the home run ball provided both runs. After two quick outs, Parks singled to right and Bartholomew homered to left.
The RedHawks then loaded the bases on two walks and a single, but NIU coaxed a flyout to strand all three baserunners. 
-- Miami's final run came in the fifth, with Parks' two-out single driving in Blaska. 
-- The Huskies broke through in the sixth as they used a single and two doubles to plate two runs. However, Reeves ended the rally with two fly outs. Jarvis took over in the seventh and gave up one single while keeping NIU off the scoreboard. 

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