DeKALB | One week after the NIU softball team posted 14 runs in a single game against Central Michigan, the Huskies managed just 12 runs in four games over the weekend.

The Huskies (14-16, 4-3) opened with a double-header against Miami (13-26-1, 3-3) that they split, losing the first game 6-4 and taking the second game 3-1.

On Sunday, they traveled to Ball State, where they lost both games, 6-2 and 8-3.

After struggling in the first game against the Redhawks, the Huskies responded with solid pitching by freshman Kate Greenough.

She pitched all seven innings, giving up just four hits and striking out six Miami batters.

“Defensively, we played much better in the second game,” NIU head coach Donna Martin said. “We did a better job at the plate creating some opportunities.”

There was some good defense under tough situations.

“Kate Greenough did a good job of focusing on what she needed to do,” Martin said. “She did a great job of keeping us in the game.”

A home run by Michelle Nendza gave NIU a 1-0 lead in the fourth before Miami tied the game with a home run of its own.

The game remained tied into the seventh inning when NIU got clutch hitting out of senior Ellen Stoddard.

With runners on the corners, Stoddard singled to center, clearing the bases and ultimately giving NIU the win.

Against the Cardinals, NIU struggled defensively, committing three errors in the first game.

In the second game, NIU recorded nine hits but was only able to turn it into three runs. Ball State was also swinging the bats well, as they connected for 13 hits in the game.

“We didn’t pitch the ball very well,” Martin said. “We had a hard time adjusting to the umpires and their strike zone. We left too many balls up in the zone. We didn’t hit the ball very well either.”

Krista McPherson continued her hot hitting, going 3-4 on the day. McPherson is hitting .354 on the season.