DeKALB | NIU softball dropped Game 1 against Valparaiso 8-6 in nine innings Tuesday, giving it five losses in its last six games.

But as the weather became colder, the Huskies (15-18) heated up in Game 2, winning 4-1.

“We were all frustrated after the first game,” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “Kate [Greenough] struggled in the first inning, the outfield didn’t play well and we missed relays and cuts.”

Greenough, a freshman pitcher for NIU, gave up three runs in the opening inning of Game 1. However, the Huskies countered with three of their own in the bottom half.

With the score knotted up at five after the seventh inning, the teams moved into extra innings.

Each squad scored once in the eighth before Valpo (17-8) plated two in the ninth to claim victory.

Senior first baseman Ellen Stoddard and second baseman Bailey Ouellette each went 2 for 4 while Stoddard scored a run.

NIU leadoff hitter Krista McPherson raised her team leading .354 batting average with a 2-for-3 performance while scoring a run and driving in another.

Valpo’s Andrea Zappia earned the save before starting Game 2.

Zappia and NIU hurler Taryn Hagemann battled to a 1-1 tie from the mound until the Huskies moved ahead in the bottom of the fourth.

A dropped fly ball hit by NIU third baseman Michelle Nendza led to NIU pinch runner Katie Colby giving the Huskies a 2-1 lead.

Next, an error on freshman Allie Parker’s bunt scored teammate Kelly Park for a 3-1 margin.

NIU added one more run in the sixth before Hagemann went on to toss a complete game. The junior gave up one run on five hits.

“I was extremely focused, which was an issue for me the last couple games,” Hagemann said. “My drop balls were hitting the corner well, and I had my change-up when I needed it.”

Hagemann added, it was just nice to get a confidence boost going into an always competitive series against Illinois State this weekend.

“We can’t get back on track if we don’t play,” Martin said. “Our pitchers needed to get going after the last few games, and we got a lot of players playing time tonight.”