Six shutouts in a row enabled the NIU softball team to run away with the 1989 North Star Conference Tournament played last weekend in Akron, Ohio.

By beating Wisconsin-Green Bay by a score of 4-0, Cleveland State (6-0), Valparaiso (1-0), DePaul (3-0), Illinois-Chicago (2-0) and Akron (2-0), the Huskies boosted their record to 34-7 and strengthened their regional standing.

“The shutouts are as important as the wins,” said NIU head coach Dee Abrahamson.

Not allowing opponents to score plays an important part in how the Huskies will be judged when the season ends and teams are selected to participate in post-season play.

The six shutout games, along with the two shutouts of UIC prior to the conference tournament, gives the Huskies a school record with eight consecutive shutouts.

NIU captured the tournament title on Sunday by downing the Akron Zips 2-0. The battery of Beth Schrader and Julie Sexton shut down the Zips’ offensive attack, while the bat of All-American Jill Justin gave the Huskies their two runs.

In the bottom of the first, Sexton smacked a double to right field. Justin followed with a homer to put the Huskies in command of the game and eventually give NIU its second consecutive NSC softball title.

“Yes, I thought we did a really good job,” Abrahamson said. “It was a good experience as we came into the tournament expecting to win. That was a tough position to be in.

“We played in poor conditions and we also saw all No. 1 pitchers (from opposing teams). Our pitching staff did an exceptional job.”

Academic All-America pitcher Schrader came about as close as one can get to throwing a no-hitter. In the top of the seventh against Valparaiso with a 2-2 count and two outs, a Crusader singled to left, ending Schrader’s no-hitter hopes.

Other Huskies who played significant roles were pitchers Kristin Vandenhouten and Shari Edwards. The freshman Vandenhouten (8-1) picked up a win in the DePaul game, while Edwards (7-3) earned two wins by beating Cleveland State and Illinois-Chicago.

Offensively, Friday’s games were paced by Lisa Gilfoy who went 6-for-8 on the day. Ree Zenner carried a potent bat during Saturday’s games, while Justin took Sunday’s honors.

NIU continues its lengthy road tour by playing a doubleheader with Bradley University on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. before returning home to battle DePaul Friday at 4 p.m.