Opponents were not the only thing the NIU softball team needed to overcome en route to its 2-2 split at the Indiana University Tournament this weekend.

NIU had an injury-riddled lineup and detrimental weather to overcome.

The Huskies started the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Indiana State, who utilized 13 hits and a total of 20 baserunners by the Huskies.

Rachel Oritz limited the Sycamores to two hits, but the game was tense since Indiana held a 1-0 lead after five innings. In the top of the sixth, NIU’s Dawn Worden led off with a single and scored soon after on a Lori Reimer double.

That win was followed by a delayed 1-0 loss to 19th-ranked Illinois State.

Three innings into the ISU game, rain and lightning made conditions difficult for play, especially pitching. Despite appeals by the NIU coaching staff for a delay, umpires continued the game.

NIU’s Kim Compton struggled to control a wet ball but allowed ISU a triple and two walks before the game was called and resumed Saturday.

Saturday’s game began with one out and Redbird runners on first and third and a three-and-two count at the plate. The Huskies managed to keep ISU scoreless but still failed to score themselves the next two frames. NIU ended the game 1-0 and Compton fell to 2-3 with the loss.

Next, host Indiana University defeated the Huskies, but not without working for it. NIU tied the game in the bottom of the fourth and both teams touched home in the sixth to tie it once again. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers managed three runs in its last at-bat. Oritz took the loss and fell to 5-4.

Ending on a positive note, NIU chalked up a 12-0 shutout against Indiana State for the last game of the tournament. Compton went the distance for a 3-3 ledger.

NIU returns to the road for the Illinois State/Subway Classic which begins Friday.