MIDLAND, Mich. | The NIU softball team had hoped for a longer stay in Michigan. But just three games later, the Huskies were on their way back to DeKalb.

“We expected to advance further obviously,” NIU head coach Donna Martin said. “It’s not the way we wanted to end our year.”

Things didn’t start well for the Huskies (22-28), who lost to top-seeded Kent State 4-2 in the first game of the MAC tournament.

The Golden Flashes hit early in the first frame with a bases loaded two-run single. NIU was able to escape the inning without allowing any other Kent State players to cross home plate, but NIU’s seven inning game of catchup wouldn’t pay dividends in the end.

Kent State tallied two more runs in the bottom of the second. It wasn’t until the top of the seventh that NIU finally got its first hit, as Randi Kreiter hit a solo home run.

Facing elimination in the loser bracket, NIU managed only one run against Miami University, in the first inning of the game; however, it proved to be the only run the Huskies needed. Freshman Kate Greenough, who pitched five perfect innings before allowing a hit, pitched a shutout to pick up the win for NIU.

“Kate pitched lights out,” Martin said. “It really wasn’t a great offensive effort on our part, but it was enough to win.”

The Huskies’ absent offense caused troubles in their next game, as NIU lost to Bowling Green 7-1. Greenough followed a near perfect performance by allowing four runs in four innings, with a three-run first inning homer being the big blow.