The NIU softball team managed one victory over the top team in the MAC, Marshall, this weekend at Mary Bell Field.

The Huskies (17-17, 7-5 MAC) won the first game of the double header on Friday with a final of 3-1. They lost the nightcap 5-3 and Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 to the Thundering Herd (36-12, 17-4 MAC).

Kathy Dearborn improved her record to 7-7 on the season as she gave up four hits and one earned run in the victory against a potent Marshall team that was hitting .296.

The next day just didn’t go Dearborn’s way, as NIU lost a pitcher’s duel 1-0. Saturday’s one run was one of two runs that crossed the plate in her last 24 innings of work that have been earned. Her record now stands at 7-8 for the season.

Marshall’s Allison Webb hit a home run in the seventh, ending a game that lasted nearly five hours thanks in part to the three rain delays.

“Kathy pitched just awesome again [Saturday],” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “Even with all the interruptions, she still pitched just as well today as she did yesterday.”