The NIU softball team continued its recent struggles Tuesday night as it lost a doubleheader on the road to Valparaiso University.

Despite starting the season 4-0, the Huskies have since dropped nine straight and 11 of their last 12.

NIU (5-11) managed just nine hits combined in both games. The Huskies dropped their first contest 5-2, and the second 5-1.

The Crusaders (14-7), on the other hand, are going the opposite way, having won eight of their last 10 games.

“We’ve played some pretty good teams,” NIU outfielder Jenna Roberts said. “But it’s on us to put the ball in play.”

In the first game, the junior put the ball in play twice and earned two RBIs. Both runs came in the third inning on a single, scoring Dani Thompson and Allie Parker. At that point in the game, NIU was up 2-1. But the Huskies gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning.

“It was disappointing because it felt like we were getting some momentum,” Roberts said.

Both runs came on a double by Crusaders’ first baseman Courtney LaFerle.

LaFerle wasn’t done there. She followed suit in the second game with another two-run double to help Valparaiso take a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

She wasn’t the only one playing consistently, however. NIU’s Michelle Nendza hit her seventh home run of the season.

The third baseman is coming off a week in which she earned MAC Player of the Week honors.

The dinger was just one of four hits NIU had in the nightcap, as Crusaders’ pitcher Carrie Franson put the clamps on the NIU hitters. The sophomore pitcher gave up just three hits and one run while striking out five in 5 2-3 innings.

“She was throwing hard up there,” Roberts said. “Their defense made some tough plays as well.”

Freshman Joreigh Landers got the start on the mound for NIU in Game 2. The pitcher hurled six innings, giving up nine hits and four earned runs.