Softball (22-7, 3-0 MAC) increased its historic winning streak to 14 games after sweeping a three-game series against Bowling Green State University in the first week of conference play.

The two teams began the series with a game Friday as the Huskies took an early lead to put the Falcons away early. NIU scored four runs in the first inning led by a five-hit attack.

The Huskies struck again in the fourth inning, putting together a period identical to the first. They had four runs on five hits again, leaving no runners on base. The inning was highlighted with a two-run home run for junior first baseman Kayti Grable.

The teams went head-to-head again in a double-header Saturday. The Huskies followed their performance in the first game with an even stronger showing, winning the first game of the double-header 13-1. It was the fifth time the team has scored at least 11 runs and the ninth time they’ve scored at least 10.

NIU scored six runs in the second inning, led by back-to-back homers from Grable and senior catcher Emily Nagele, who continues to hit at a high level. Grable knocked in four runs on a grand slam and Naegele hit a solo home run.

The Huskies followed the strong inning with another six-run outing in the fourth. Three of the runs came thanks to sophomore infielder Alaynie Woollard, who notched a three-run home run.

The final game of the series proved to be the closest of the weekend as the teams battled in a pitcher’s duel. A two-run shot from Grable gave the Huskies their only runs of the game, but it proved to be enough as they went on to win 2-1.

Freshman pitcher Alex Frenz went the distance for NIU, surrendering one run on four hits for a complete game. She walked two batters and struck out six, bringing her to 9-2 on the season.

“The offense definitely carried for the first two games,” said head coach Christina Sutcliffe, according to an NIU Athletics news release. “Bowling Green’s pitcher did a nice job against us in the third game. We had to rely on our defense and pitching. Any time you can start out MAC play 3-0 is always a good feeling. We just have to keep the momentum going.”

The Huskies’ 14-game winning streak is their longest since the 1989 season — the team completed the streak twice in that season. They’ve managed to achieve the feat without yet playing a home game, which they will finally be able to do this week.

The team will begin the week with a two-game series against Loyola University, starting at 3:30 Wednesday in Chicago. It will finish with a three-game series against Kent State University, starting at 3 p.m. Friday at Mary M. Bell Field.