After going a week without playing a game, the NIU softball team lost Wednesday at Illinois State by slaughter rule.

The Huskies (20-23) went up by two in the first inning when Toni Del Toro drove in Elyse Jamrozy and Shelby Bernard.

After that it was all Redbirds (27-17), who scored 11 unanswered runs for an 11-2 win in 4 1/2 innings.

“One thing we did well today was our approach at the plate,” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “Toni came into a clutch situation and delivered.”

The game was Bernard’s first since March 13, when the sixth-year senior suffered a concussion after getting hit in the head by a ball in practice.

Starting pitcher Lindsey LaChiana allowed five hits and gave up four runs before being replaced on the mound by Kathy Dearborn in the bottom of the fourth with one out.

However, Dearborn didn’t fair any better. The senior was tagged for seven runs on four hits without recording an out.

“It was the right time to take Lindsey out,” Martin said. “Kathy just didn’t get the job done, like usual.”

Freshman hurler Taryn Hagemann came on for Dearborn and closed out the inning.

“Our pitchers had a tough time adjusting to the umpire’s zone,” Martin said. “It was a combination of that and the fact that we haven’t played in a week.”