DeKALB | Gray skies and rain gave the NIU softball team’s home opener an ominous start.

Missed plays and an Iowa home run made it a disappointing finish for the Huskies, as they fell to the Hawkeyes 4-2 at Mary M. Bell Field Wednesday afternoon.

With playing conditions favoring the defense, NIU (10-12) clung to a 1-0 lead before Iowa (23-13) broke through in the sixth inning.

With one out and runners on second and third, Iowa’s Summer Downs hit a grounder to third which scored Taylor Leichsenring on a close play at the plate to tie the game at one.

That tie didn’t last long when the next batter, sophomore Colleen McGlaughlin hit a two-run blast to straight-away center to give the Hawkeyes a 3-1 lead.

“It was a pitcher’s day, being cold and rainy,” NIU head coach Donna Martin said. “We just made a few mistakes.”

NIU threatened in the bottom of seventh, trailing 4-1 when they loaded the bases with one out. A fielder’s choice by Krista McPherson brought the Huskies within two. However, that’s as close as they would get as Iowa shortstop Erin Riemersma made a diving play to get a ground ball hit headed for the outfield by Krystn Sendejas.

“We had some opportunities, but couldn’t come through with the hit,” Martin said. “Their shortstop saved them on that last play.”

Despite not winning, NIU designated player Randi Kreiter sees the comeback attempt as a positive.

“It is a Big 10 team we were playing and I think there was some ‘Oh my god! We’re playing a Big 10 team’ going on,” Kreiter said. “Lots of times we fall behind and don’t answer, but it gives us confidence that we were able to put ourselves in position.”

Kreiter went one for two on the afternoon including an RBI double down the left field line to give NIU a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.

The RBI gave Kreiter her 14th of the season, which leads the team. For the season, Kreiter is hitting .309, ranking her second on the team, with two home runs.

Brittany Weil picked up the win for the Hawkeyes moving her record to 6-1, while Taryn Hagemann received the loss, dropping her record to an even 4-4.