NIU softball coach Donna Martin said her ace hurler Courtney Witvliet didn’t quite pitch at the top of her game at Buffalo this past weekend.

Perhaps that’s just a coach being the harshest critic, because even Witvliet playing not quite at 100 percent put NIU in a position for victory.

The senior upped her season mark to 8-7, notching two victories this weekend, including the third game Saturday, 5-2.

“She has been a little sore and she wasn’t as sharp as usual,” Martin said. “But she battled.”

Battle Witvliet did. Pitching two complete games, the senior tossed a five-hitter in Saturday’s contest, striking out six. In Friday’s game, she fanned 11 Buffalo batters, walking one, and gave up eight hits.

After going some 50-plus innings without giving up a walk, the senior gave up two this weekend but NIU had the offense to back her up. While Witvliet has won just two of five non-conference games, she has feasted on Mid-American Conference opponents, going 6-2 with 47 strikeouts in 50 innings.

“She really is our stopper,” assistant coach Kevin Welch said. “She worked the ball all over and she got enough offense to win.”

The Huskies (12-23 overall, 7-6 Mid-American Conference West) exploded for 23 hits this weekend, 10 in the third game. Junior Gretchen Szymski belted her first home run of the season in the top of the third inning. During that contest, Szymski, lead-off batter Samantha Knoll and first baseman Paige Shemoski each tallied two hits, while freshman Kelly Redican went 3-for-3.

“We are really starting to hit the ball better,” Welch said.

NIU still needs to find a solid No. 2 pitcher. Freshman Amy Krahula looks to be a possible candidate, but she struggled in Game 2, giving up nine hits in a 6-2 loss. The setback dropped Krahula’s season mark to 3-4.

“Amy pitched the ball pretty well today, but we just have to be able to get that second pitcher to back up Courtney,” Welch said.