Mental mistakes on the field and a lack of run production came back to haunt NIU softball as the Huskies dropped a home doubleheader to DePaul Thursday.

The Huskies (19-16) totaled 12 hits but only three runs in the twin bill as the Blue Demons (24-12) took both games, 7-1 and 6-2.

NIU starter Lindsey LaChiana (12-8) almost escaped a first-inning, bases-loaded jam, but an error by third baseman Michelle Nendza eventually allowed four unearned runs to score. Three Huskie miscues in the field added up to five unearned runs for the game.

Despite getting nine hits in Game 1, the Huskies only scored one unearned run on a wild pitch and left seven runners on base for the game.

With the bases loaded again in the sixth inning, NIU coach Donna Martin took out LaChiana on a 3-0 count. Reliever Paige Granath walked in a run on the next pitch but escaped the inning without further damage.

“I think [LaChiana] was tired,” Martin said. “We have four more games this weekend, so she was only going to go a certain number of pitches and she reached that threshold.”

After having multiple scoring opportunities in the first game, NIU only managed three hits in Game 2. Both Huskie runs came courtesy of a two-out, two-run single by second baseman Megan Meyer in the fourth inning.

“We just need to keep our heads in it,” said Meyer, who went 3-for-6 in the two games. “If we make those mistakes, we have to make up for it offensively and get those runs back. When we got runners on, we need to knock them in.”

DePaul had little trouble manufacturing offense as they totaled 21 hits and three home runs in both games while leaving 20 runners on base.

The Huskies will host a pair of doubleheaders this weekend. The first will start at 1 p.m. Saturday versus Buffalo and the second at 1 p.m. Sunday against Western Michigan.