NIU softball split its four game series this weekend at the Coach B Classic in Carbondale.

The Huskies (5-7) gave up one run in their two victories over Wright State and Western Illinois with freshman Megan Dortch on the mound.

“Coach did a really good job these last couple weeks we’ve had off really preparing all of the pitching staff this weekend to hit our spots better and being better with our pitching locations,” Dortch said.

The two losses came against Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Southern Illinois Carbondale.

NIU had a loss against SIUE in extra innings Saturday. Trailing 3-1 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Huskies’ senior Dani Parrish belted a two-run home run to send the game into extras.

“It was a huge hit,” said NIU coach Lindsay Chouinard. “It’s something we obviously really needed in that moment and it was great to see a senior step up and provide that kind of boost.”

But the Cougars would knock in a run in the top of the eighth to steal the victory 4-3.

After a 5-0 win over the Leathernecks Sunday, the Huskies took the field against the Salukis.

In an offensive slugfest, Southern Illinois put up 15 runs in a 15-7 victory.

Despite the lopsided loss, Chouinard said there’s a lot of time for improvement as the season continues.

“It’s easier to move on because we have so many games to redeem ourselves,” Chouinard said. “It’s a chance for them to step up and change it.”