For the first time since the 2009-2010 season, softball has recorded a win in the MAC Tournament.

The Huskies (25-29, 14-8 MAC) secured a victory over Miami (Ohio) in its first matchup of the 2013 tournament in a familiar fashion, coming back from a deficit featuring strong pitching, timely hitting and good defense.

“I think it was a combination of everything,” said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. “We had a runner in scoring position if not every inning, close to it.”

They nearly did have a runner in scoring position every inning aside from the fourth that featured a solo home-run by junior Shelby Miller and a 1-2-3 sixth inning.

Both starting pitchers turned in stalwart efforts, as Miami (Ohio) pitcher Paige Myers went 4.1 innings, scattering six hits and allowing only one run. NIU sophomore Emily Norton went the distance, allowing just one run and striking out four.

The Redhawks opened the scoring first in the top of the third as freshman Hailey Reed doubled home junior Kristy Arbour.

NIU answered in that fourth behind the Miller homerun to lead off the inning, and the game stayed at 1-1 going into the top of the sixth where Miami (Ohio) presented its best scoring opportunity.

Reed singled with one out and the next batter, Jenna Modic, doubled down the right field line. Freshman Jillian Mattor fielded the ball and relayed it to Miller, who in turn threw home, and junior catcher Erika Oswald was able to apply the tag to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Sutcliffe believes that defense is what signifies MAC tournament play, where the games are usually lower-scoring affairs.

“At this point all the coaches have scouts on all the teams,” Sutcliffe said. “It is about making the defensive plays when it matters.”

NIU came back, as it has often been able to do toward the end of the season, in the bottom of the seventh behind one of its two seniors providing a walk-off hit.

Senior shortstop Amanda Sheppard came up with runners on first and second behind an Oswald single and a fielding error. Sheppard singled into right field to plate Oswald and make the Huskies the victors over the Redhawks.

“Shep’s definitely had her last few weekends memories that will last her,” Sutcliffe said. “Being able to come through in the clutch today speaks volumes to her character and what her career has been all about.”

NIU will play the No.1-ranked seed in the tournament, Ball State, Thursday afternoon. Sutcliffe takes an optimistic outlook on the matchup with the top-rated team.

“You have to play Ball State at some point if you want to win this tournament,” Sutcliffe said. “I’d rather play them early than as you go along because as you go along teams get a little bit tighter for everybody, so if you got to play ’em let’s play them early.”