Softball swept their midweek series against the Valparaiso University Crusaders behind strong performances from junior pitchers Tara Thacker and Keegan Hayes Wednesday.

The Huskies (24-18, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) won the first matchup, 7-4, and took the second game against the Crusaders (24-18, 11-7 Horizon League), 5-2.

“Giving [Valparaiso] a four-run spot in the first inning [of the first game] right off the bat, it didn’t look like the day would go this way,” Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe said. “We stayed patient, stayed with it and finally pulled a doubleheader out, something we’ve been struggling with all year.”

Game one

Thacker struck out nine batters to lead the Huskies past the Crusaders, 7-4.

It was the fourth time this season that Thacker struck out eight or more batters. Thacker allowed only two hits and a walk through six and 2/3 innings.

“Tara was lights out,” Sutcliffe said. “She got them to chase high and often. We just kept drilling it. Until they make an adjustment, we’re going to stick with it. They never did, so she just kept hitting the zone with it.”

Senior first baseman Kayti Grable went 1-for-1 with two RBIs, two walks and a run scored.

Sophomore infielder Dominique Greeno finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.

Valparaiso scored four runs at the top of the first inning, and Thacker was brought in to relieve junior pitcher Emma Ray after allowing those runs..

NIU answered the Crusaders in home runs from Grable and sophomore utilityman Abby Howlett to make it a 4-3 game in the bottom of the first inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, sophomore outfielder Jenna Van Geertry gave the Huskies a 5-4 lead when she doubled down the right field line to score Greeno and senior outfielder Jordyn Bowen.

Sophomore outfielder Jessica Rio and Bekah Harnish, junior catcher and infielder, brought in two more runs for the Huskies before the end of the fifth inning.

Game two

Hayes threw 46 pitches and gave up two earned runs in the first inning but settled in afterward, as the Huskies took Wednesday’s second game, 5-2.

Hayes had four strikeouts in five innings and gave up two runs on six hits with three walks.

Sophomore pitcher Alex Frenz pitched the final two innings and struck out two batters and walked one.

Bowen finished the game 2-for-4 with a RBI, a run scored and two stolen bases.

Grable went 1-for-2 with two walks and a RBI.

Van Geertry scored two runs and stole three bases.

A double steal by Bowen and Van Geertry sent Bowen to second base and scored Van Geertry from third base to give the Huskies a 3-2 lead.

Rio singled and stole second base after pinch-hitting for Greeno in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Harnish singled to third base to score Rio and give the Huskies a 4-2 lead.

NIU added one more in the bottom of the sixth inning when Grable singled up the middle to score Van Geertry from second base.

NIU continues its homestand this weekend as they take on the Eastern Michigan University Eagles in a three-game series. The first game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday.