An undefeated MAC season was not meant to be for the NIU softball team.

After taking the first game, 3-0, of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Mary Bell Field, the Huskies (14-10, 4-1 MAC) fell 4-0 to Western Michigan (14-12, 4-2 MAC) in the second game.

“We’re having a problem with keeping pressure on our opponents,” NIU coach Donna Martin said.

NIU entered Sunday’s contest with the only undefeated record in the MAC at 4-0.

NIU got a solid pitching performance from Amy Krahula, who didn’t allow a hit after the third inning. The Huskies got off to another quick start by posting three runs in the bottom of the first.

Reigning MAC West Division Player of the Week Paige Shemoski drove in Lisa Mattke on her fourth double of the year, and one of nine hits in the game for NIU, to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

Extending NIU’s lead to three, first baseman Toni Del Toro, who’s leading the MAC in fielding percentage and put-outs, showed off her offensive prowess by smacking a two-run double to bring in Shemoski and Shelby Bernard.

Krahula and the Huskies’ defense combined for 12-straight outs at one point on their way to earning their first shutout of the season.

In the second game, NIU’s sophomore pitcher Kathy Dearborn struggled, giving up nine hits and two home runs that proved to be enough for WMU to win.

“She needs to keep working through it,” Martin said. “Her change-up needs to be more consistent, which will help slow their bats down.”

WMU’s Gina Dobbs hit the first home run to right-center, which brought in Dayna Crawford and broke a branch off the tree sitting outside the fence. Jaymie Voss hit WMU’s second homer off the scoreboard in left-center, bringing in Mary McCloskey.

Laurie Stewart pitched the Broncos to victory the rest of the way, giving up three hits over seven innings and finishing off NIU with a one, two, three seventh inning.

“We need to sustain our concentration,” Martin said. “We gave them too much confidence and let them think they could play with us.”