Softball won three of its five matchups over the weekend in the 29th Annual Campbell/Cartier Classic hosted by San Diego State University. They move to 6-4 thus far on the 2019 season.

Friday afternoon – NIU 8, UCSB 0

NIU opened the tournament with an 8-0 victory over the University of California Santa Barbara Gauchos Friday.

The Huskies struck first, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning with senior outfielder Jenny Van Geertry and junior infielder Anne Allen scoring off a 2 RBI senior infielder Dominique Greeno single to left field.

NIU piled on in the second, scoring five runs to extend its lead to seven. Senior infielder Abby Howlett knocked a two-run home run over the right field fence to put the Huskies up 4-0.

Senior outfielder Katie Lamich gave NIU a five run lead after stealing third and scoring on a wild pitch. Senior infielder Sam Schmidt hit a two-run home run over left field to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead.

Van Geertry scored the final run of the game. Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Bryan struck out five batters and only allowed five hits in five innings.

“We did a great job scoring in multiple innings and putting the pressure of the defense,” Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe said to NIU Athletics. “[Bryan] did a nice job pitching out of some jams and keeping their offense shut down for the most part.”

Related: Softball sits at 2-2 after second day of Lion Classic

Friday evening – SDSU 7, NIU 5

NIU lost to the San Diego State University Aztecs after a two-run walk-off home run in bottom of the seventh inning.

The Aztecs went up 3-0 in the bottom of the third by knocking a home run over left field in the second inning, hitting an RBI triple and notching an RBI single in the third.

The Huskies scored their first runs of the game when senior outfielder Jessica Rio scored off a Howlett RBI double in the top of the fourth inning.

First year outfielder Kara Apato scored off a wild pitch to bring NIU’s deficit down to 3-2 later in the inning.

San Diego State scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth to re-gain its 3-run advantage.

Schmidt answered by blasting a 3-run home run to left center in the top of the seventh to tie the game at five.

The Aztecs tallied the game-clinching two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to walk away with the win.

Saturday afternoon – NIU 13, Middle Tennessee 2

The Huskies scored early and often in their first matchup against the Middle Tennessee University Blue Raiders Saturday.

A junior outfielder Kayla Scaperrotta RBI single scored NIU’s first run of the game in the top of the second inning. Sophomore catcher Kira Mickelson scored after a Lamich walk with bases loaded.

Freshman infielder Bianca Barone smashed a grand slam down the left field line to put the Huskies up 6-0 in the second. Van Geertry scored off a throwing error to close out the inning with  NIU holding on to a seven run advantage.

Middle Tennessee recorded two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Huskies packed on six runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a dominating 13-2 victory.

Saturday afternoon – NIU 3, Grand Canyon University 2

NIU was held scoreless through the first six innings of its game against the Grand Canyon University Lopes. Grand Canyon scored a run in top of the sixth and seventh innings to take a 2-0 lead.

With Greeno at second and Rio at third and two outs, Mickelson hit a 2-RBI single to centerfield, tying the game at two.

Howlett singled to shortstop to drive in Lamich, who was pinch running for Mickelson, to give the Huskies their third victory of the weekend.

“In the first [Saturday] game we were able to score early and often with our defense holding Middle Tennessee in key situations,” Sutcliffe said. “In the second game, Grand Canyon had us off balance, but we stayed patient and made adjustments to fight back at the end for a total team win. This team has proven we will fight from the first pitch until the last.”

Sunday – Middle Tennessee 2, NIU 1

NIU lost its final game of the tournament to Middle Tennessee Sunday. The Huskies scored their first and only run of the game when Schmidt hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth.

The Blue Raiders tied the game at one in the top of the sixth with a solo home run. Middle Tennessee then scored the game-winning run on a Greeno error.

“Their pitcher threw a really nice game against us and we didn’t do a good enough job of adjusting,” Sutcliffe said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it throughout the game. We are happy with how we played this weekend and we continue to see growth. Every game is a chance for us to learn and get better.”

The Huskies will return to the action 10:30 a.m. Friday against Kennesaw State in Houston in the Houston Challenge