After losing four straight games, NIU softball got back on the winning track with the help of some unexpected sources.

In a three-game weekend sweep of Ball State (4-12, 0-3 MAC), the Huskies (13-7, 3-0 MAC) got a pair of 3-for-3 hitting performances from two players who are hitting less than .210 this season.

“These were two really good wins for us,” coach Donna Martin said. “We got some big production from the bottom of our order, and when that happens, you will usually be in position to win the ball-game.”

In NIU’s 7-2 conference-opening victory, sophomore Toni Del Toro broke the game open in the top of the fifth inning when she collected one of her three hits in the game doubling to left field and knocking in Shelby Bernard and Paige Shemoski as part of a five-run fifth inning.

Junior Amy Krahula (6-2) earned the victory for the Huskies pitching a complete-game, seven hitter, allowing two earned runs.

In Game 2, NIU fell behind 3-2 after the first inning but pitcher Kathy Dearborn (5-3) settled down and did not allow a run the rest of the game as the Huskies prevailed 8-3.

“Both Amy (Krahula) and Kathy (Dearborn) threw great today,” Martin said. “To see performances like this early in the season when it is hard to deal with the field conditions and the weather is a great sign.”

Megan Meyer finished 3-for-3, and Del Toro added two more hits in the win.

In Sunday’s matchup, the Huskies allowed only two runs for the second time in the series, leaving Muncie (Ind.) with a 7-2 win and a series sweep.