Good pitching was the order of the day for the Huskies in their weekend set of home games.

The NIU softball team (19-16) defeated Wright State 8-1, 3-1 Saturday, and Valparaiso 6-0, 2-0 Sunday.

The most impressive of the pitching gems was Kristen Vandenhouten’s. In Sunday’s first game, Vandenhouten (4-2) faced one batter over the minimum en route to a no-hitter.

“How about that,” NIU head coach Dee Abrahamson said. “She did everything we asked her to do. We faced one over the minimum. That’s pretty darn good.”

Vandenhouten gave credit to her teammates, particularly catcher Julie Sexton.

“The catcher (Sexton) called a superb game,” the junior righthander said. “She kept (Valparaiso) off balance.”

Huskie pitchers continued stymieing VU hitters in the second game. Winning starter Kim Compton (8-6) and Rachel Ortiz combined to give up only two hits to the Crusaders.

The Huskies themselves had four hits, but one of them, Sexton’s sixth inning inside-the-park home run, was special.

“Julie has the first home run on this field,” Abrahamson said. “Who would have thought it’d be an inside-the-park?”

Sunday’s winners were also the victors in Saturday’s doubleheader with WSU. The first game’s winner, Vandenhouten, allowed nine hits, struck out seven and walked none over seven innings. In the second game, winning starter Compton (four innings, one run) combined with Ortiz to beat WSU.

The Huskies’ four victories improved their North Star Conference record to 4-2.