The NIU softball team snapped a five-game losing streak Friday en route to winning three of four games over the weekend.

In their first game Friday against Ball State, the Huskies (13-16 overall, 3-5 MAC) won 4-2 before dropping the second game 6-3.

However, NIU capped off the weekend by sweeping Miami-Ohio. A 3-1 victory Saturday was followed by a 13-5 five-inning mercy-rule win on Sunday.

BSU (9-14, 3-3) superstar Amanda Pick came into Friday batting .362 with nine RBIs while carrying a 1.79 ERA, 31 strikeouts and six complete games onto the mound.

Pick did everything but live up to her reputation in the first game. NIU collected four runs on four hits off of Pick before she was removed from the mound after three innings. At the plate, Pick was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

“She’s their go-to player,” said NIU coach Donna Martin. “Our game plan was to not let her hurt us, and we did a really good job of that.”

NIU senior pitcher Lindsey LaChiana held BSU and Pick in check during the first game. The Loyola-Chicago transfer went seven innings without relinquishing an earned run, and registered five strikeouts.

On offense, the Huskies received a lift from freshman right fielder Ashley Clement. The Moline native was batting .182 this spring before belting a three-run homer in the second inning.

“Ashley played well against Eastern Michigan and Northwestern,” Martin said. “We need her bat in the lineup, and she’s been getting the job done.”

In the second game, NIU sophomore pitcher Taryn Hagemann could not repeat LaChiana’s performance. Hagemann gave up six runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings pitched before senior hurler Paige Granath finished the game without yielding a run.

But NIU’s rebound Saturday was led by Hagemann controlling Miami from the mound after receiving an early 2-0 lead.

Junior Ellen Stoddard and Clement recorded back-to-back RBIs in the first inning.

Hagemann followed by allowing one run and eight hits in six innings before LaChiana got three-straight outs for the save.

Freshmen Bailey Ouellette and Clement had NIU’s two hits in the game.

The Huskies bats did not remain as silent Sunday. NIU pounded out 12 hits and scored 13 runs against Miami pitcher Kelly Cabana.

After pitching Saturday’s game, Cabana was on pace to give up 21 runs after two innings Sunday.