Although NCAA officials did not give the NIU softball team a 1989 national tournament bid, the season’s final statistics indicate the Huskies might have belonged.

The Huskies, whose 38-7 record was the fourth-best in the country, ranked among the nation’s best in 14 categories when the 1989 final statistics were released last week.

Leading the way were seniors Jill Justin and Beth Schrader. Justin, a two-time national batting champ, placed fifth in batting average (.443), fifth in RBIs (38), sixth in walks (30), 11th in home runs (5) and 12th in triples (8) and runs scored (38).

The three-time first-team All-American also was nominated for the Honda-Broderick Cup and Award, which rewards the top players in the country in 10 NCAA women’s sports.

Schrader, a senior pitcher, ranked eighth in earned run average (0.57) and third in saves (3).

Lisa Gilfoy was the lone returner to rank among national leaders. Her 32-RBI total was good for 18th.

As a team, the Huskies finished first in triples (27), fourth in winning percentage (.844) and 16th in ERA (0.97). Coach Dee Abrahamson’s squad also placed 18th in fielding percentage (.959) and 19th in scoring (4.29 runs per game).