Softball swept a Saturday doubleheader against the Akron Zips after a scheduled Friday doubleheader against the Ohio Bobcats was canceled due to poor weather conditions.

The Huskies (15-13, 2-0 MAC) beat the Zips (12-13, 0-2 MAC), 9-1, in six innings in game 1 at Mary M. Bell Field before beating them again, 9-8, in the second game.

“You definitely want to be starting to peak [with MAC play beginning] and using the last six weeks to get ready for the tournament,” said head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “We still have some growing to do.”

She also spoke of the want to get a good cushion in the division, saying, “Ultimately, we want to get to the last weekend without having to win.”

Game one

How it happened

Game one of the doubleheader saw the Huskies defeat the Zips in great fashion.

The win was highlighted by a third inning in which the entire lineup got an at-bat and scored a staggering six runs, putting them up 7-0 at that point. Sophomore first baseman Kayti Grable began the action with a two-run triple to start the inning, followed by two infield errors that led to an array of scoring by NIU.

The Huskies finished the game with two more runs in the sixth inning to give them the 9-1 victory.

In the circle

Senior pitcher Jess Sturm got the start for the Huskies, pitching six innings and giving up only one run while striking out six in her victory. Erin Seiler took the loss for the Zips, giving up seven runs — three earned — in 2.2 innings of work.

At the plate

Grable was huge for the Huskies, going 2-3 with three runs batted in. Second baseman Caitlin Gambone went 2-3 with the Zips’ lone run batted in.

Game two

How it happened

Game two of the doubleheader saw the Huskies pull out a close 9-8 victory after trailing 4-0 early.

Akron got on the board early with a solo home run in the first inning and three more runs in the second.

The Huskies fought back, taking an 8-4 lead with a two-run second inning and a six-run third. After the Zips tied the game at 8-8 in the top of the seventh, outfielder Allyson Hecht gave the Huskies the win with a walk-off double scoring Sturm.

In the circle

Freshman Keegan Hayes got the start for NIU, pitching 5.2 innings and giving up six runs in a rough outing. Sturm came in and pitched 1.1 innings, getting her seventh win of the season. Seiler took another loss for the Zips, pitching 6.1 innings and giving up nine runs, all earned.

At the plate

Freshman Alaynie Woollard went 2-3 with a home run — her seventh of the season — and two RBIs for NIU. For the Zips, third baseman Alyssa Nicholas went 2-4 with two RBIs; she was the only Zip with more than one hit.

Up next

The Huskies will look to continue their three-game winning streak with the Bowling Green Falcons and Toledo Rockets coming to town this weekend. They host Bowling Green 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday and Toledo 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.