DeKALB | The NIU softball team scored seven runs Sunday against Western Michigan, but with the way Kate Greenough was pitching, that may have been six more than needed.

The freshman pitcher gave up just three hits the entire game and never allowed a WMU player to get past second base as NIU defeated the Broncos 7-0 at Mary M. Bell Field.

“Kate was pretty focused out there,” NIU head coach Donna Martin said. “She was hitting her locations and when she does that, they hit the ball right at us. When our infielders get a lot of ground balls, we know Kate is doing her job.”

Ground balls were Greenough’s specialty as she forced WMU to hit into two double plays, including one to end the game.

For the game, she faced just 23 batters with 21 being the minimum you can face.

“I felt good out there and tried to keep the ball down,” Greenough said. “It’s nice when the defense is playing good behind me and makes it easier.”

The Portland, Ore., native is now 10-10 on the season with an ERA of 3.04.