Softball went 3-1 on the weekend, hosting series against the Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Central Michigan Chippewas.

The Huskies (26-20, 10-6 MAC) swept the series against Eastern Michigan (15-29, 4-11 MAC) and went 1-1 in their series against Central Michigan (22-19, 10-6 MAC).

Eastern Michigan game one

How it happened

NIU got the game started quickly with a two-run first inning. Eastern Michigan quickly retaliated in the second, scoring three runs on three hits on some well-executed small ball. The Huskies scored two runs on back-to-back home runs by outfielders Allyson Hecht and Caitlyn Warren, giving them a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second. A triple by junior catcher Emily Naegele in the fifth drove in one more run for the Huskies, sealing the win 5-3.

In the circle

Freshman Keegan Hayes picked up the win, pitching a complete game and striking out five while giving up three runs, two of which were earned. Trisha Trujillo took the loss for the Eagles, giving up four runs and striking out two in 1.1 innings.

At the plate

Naegele went 2-3 with a triple and an RBI for the Huskies.

“They are staying patient and getting a good pitch,” said head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “The fact that they’re kind of pitching around Kayti [Grable] and Naegele is getting some other people some good pitches to split them. That helps as well.”

Eastern Michigan game two

How it happened

Through five innings, NIU held a four-run lead on the Eagles, two of which came from two solo homers by Grable, giving her 11 for the season. Eastern Michigan fought back in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on two hits and shrinking the Huskie lead to 4-2, but NIU was able to fight right back, scoring one last run in the bottom of the sixth and sealing the 5-2 win.

In the circle

Senior Jessica Sturm took home the win, striking out five and giving up only two runs in a complete game effort. Lindsay Rich took the loss for the Eagles, giving up 10 hits and five runs in six innings of work.

At the plate

Grable knocked two home runs, giving her 11 on the season, which tied her for most home runs in a single season for NIU softball.

“I think our offense has probably been the most consistent thing we’ve had all season,” Sutcliffe said. “They’re doing a really good job for the most part.”

Central Michigan game one

How it happened

NIU held a two-run lead through four innings, keeping the Chippewas scoreless. The low scoring continued as the Huskies kept a 2-1 lead for the entirety of the game.

“Playing in a two run game in the first game against a team like Central and being able to come away with that is a huge win for us,” Sutcliffe said.

In the circle

Sturm picked up the win for the Huskies, pitching a complete game and striking out six in a one-run effort. Rachael Knapp took the loss for Central Michigan, pitching six innings and giving up two runs.

At the plate

Hecht drove in the lone RBI for the Huskies in a game that didn’t produce much offense from either side. First baseman Katelyn Rentschler went 2-3 with an RBI for the Chippewas.

Central Michigan game two

How it happened

The game was deadlocked at 4 runs apiece through three innings. Central Michigan scored five runs on five hits, giving them a 9-5 lead in the top of the fourth. Though they gave valiant efforts to make a comeback, the Huskies eventually fell short in a game that ended 10-7.

In the circle

Hayes took the loss for NIU, pitching 3.1 innings and giving up seven runs.

“Jess, Keegan and Tara [Thacker] are doing a great job,” Sutcliffe said. “They’ve had their struggles, but that’s the whole part of being a staff, is that when one struggles another can come in and pick it up.”

Knapp took the win for the Chippewas, pitching 4.2 innings with six strikeouts, five hits and three runs.

At the plate

Infielder Alaynie Woollard went 2-4 with two RBIs for the Huskies. Shortstop Trista Cox went 1-5 but drove in three runs for Central Michigan.

Up next

The Huskies will face off against the Illinois-Chicago Flames at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Mary M. Bell Field. It will be the team’s final regular season home game.