DeKALB | If the NIU softball team was looking to build some momentum heading into the end of the season, it got off to a good start in the Huskies’ final home game of the season.

Both offense and defense were clicking as NIU (20-23, 9-9) defeated Akron (16-21, 7-7) 5-1 at Mary M. Bell Field on Sunday afternoon.

Krista McPherson came up big for NIU as she has done all season – going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.

“I think this win gives us a lot of confidence,” McPherson said. “Especially being our last home game. We’ve been of the mind set that the offense needs to get going and it did.”

Senior Ellen Stoddard also came up big on senior day going 2-2 at the plate.

Defensively, the Huskies were sound as well, making several tough plays in the infield.

“We played some real good defense all weekend,” Martin said. “Defense and pitching are the things we can control and they were big for us today.”

On Saturday, the Huskies lost in extra innings to the Zips, giving up two runs in the top of the eighth to put Akron on top.

On Friday, the Huskies split a double-header against Ohio (21-26, 8-9), losing the first game 3-0 and winning the second 2-1 in nine innings.

Sophomore Bailey Ouellette was the hero of the second game, hitting a walk-off home run.