If the NIU softball team is looking for a repeat of last year’s 35-11 season, it’s headed in the right direction.

The Huskies took no time getting used to playing outdoors in Florida during their spring break trip. They hit the grass for the first time since last fall, and they defeated every opponent—giving themselves a perfect 11-0 record. NIU continues action today at noon against Florida State before heading back to the Land of Lincoln.

The softball trip, which began March 12, not only included 11 victories, but it also included winning the Florida State Invitational (which fielded 19 teams), having four players named to an all-tournament squad and having the invitational MVP.

Senior Jill Justin, the nation’s leading batter for the past two years, was the tourney’s MVP. Pitcher Beth Schrader, first baseman Lisa Gilfoy and third baseman Heidi Hutchison joined Justin on the all-tournament squad.

On Sunday, NIU won the invitational after defeating North Carolina by a slim 3-2 margin in nine innings. NIU scored two runs in the first inning, but UNC mirrored that in the third. The teams went head-to-head until a one-out triple by Justin in the the top of the ninth was followed by a game-winning RBI single from Gilfoy. The Huskies’ Shari Edwards pitched the entire nine innings for NIU.

The Huskies began their title run Friday by beating Bradley 8-2, paced by a Justin two-run home run in the third. Edwards picked up the victory, as Hutchison was 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs. That win was followed by a 3-2 victory over South Florida in eight innings.

NIU captured one of four “pool” titles Saturday by defeating 16th-ranked Iowa State, 3-1. Schrader went the distance against the Cyclones and held ISU to just five hits. NIU ended the night with a 7-0 shutout against Connecticut. Justin’s powerful bat came through again in the third inning against Connecticut with a three-run homer.

In the semifinal, the Huskies defeated Southern Illinois in eight innings by a score of 1-0. NIU beat the Salukis 14-7 in its season opener March 12.

Justin shined in the opening game against SIU. The senior tallied a pair of triples, a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly to score a run in starting the year by going 4-for-4.

On March 14, the Huskies defeated Florida A&M 10-5 and 6-0 in a doubleheader. Schrader and freshman Kristin Vandenhouten combined for a no-hitter in the first game. Schrader struck out seven through the first four innings while Vandenhouten retired four through the remainder of the game.

Against Connecticut, a team ranked in the Top 20 preseason polls, both Justin and freshman Lori Reimer hit home runs to lead the way for NIU in the second game. But, coach Dee Abrahamson did not give all the credit to the offense.

“Our pitching was really good,” Abrahamson said. “Beth and Shari looked good in throwing two complete games and our offense was evident. We had 19 hits and 12 walks in 13 innings.”