It took all weekend, but the NIU softball team finally got it right.

The Huskies started the weekend by dropping two games to Buffalo on Saturday by scores of 2-1 and 5-1.

After they lost 2-0 in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Western Michigan on Sunday, the Huskies salvaged the series with a 1-0 victory.

With the win, the Huskies (20-19 overall, 5-6 MAC) broke a five-game losing streak that coach Donna Martin was happy to see end.

“This win was really important for us,” Martin said. “If we can get 15 wins in conference play we will be in good shape.”

Junior pitcher Lindsey LaChiana took the mound in Game 1 on Saturday and gave up only five hits and two runs, both unearned, in 6 1/3 innings.

The Huskies committed four errors and managed only one run on five hits.

Game 2 against Buffalo (12-23, 7-5) was much of the same for the Huskies offensively.

NIU once again came up with just one run on five hits in the losing effort.

“I thought for the most part we pitched well enough to win,” Martin said. “We just didn’t hit, and we’ve been in a team slump.”

In Game 1 with WMU (12-20, 6-6) on Sunday, LaChiana once again took the hill with little offensive help.

LaChiana pitched a complete game, giving up two runs, but the Huskies only had three hits to go with three errors on defense.

“I felt good for the most part this weekend,” LaChiana said. “I just think without runs on the board I’m more tense.”

In Game 2 with WMU the Huskies’ offensive woes continued, but timely hitting from junior catcher Elyse Jamrozy was the difference.

An RBI double by Jamrozy in the fifth inning proved to be all senior pitcher Kathy Dearborn would need.

Dearborn threw a complete game shutout and gave up only three hits and one walk.

“It’s a team effort,” Martin said. “Sometimes you can out-slug the other team, but you have to have pitching and defense on an everyday basis to win games.”