After a disappointing defensive performance Saturday night, NIU softball coach Donna Martin didn’t say much to her team.

The Huskies gave up 13 runs & six unearned. Perhaps the silent treatment ignited the Huskies’ efforts, as the NIU defense came out in the top of its game in Sunday’s capper to hand Ball State its first Mid-American Conference loss, 4-1.

“I left it in their hands last night,” Martin said. “They needed to find a way to find themselves and they did. We had a team effort.”

Senior left fielder Suzie Rizek, senior right fielder Chrisy Johnson and junior catcher Samantha Knoll came up with big defensive plays to help key the Huskie victory.

In the top of the second inning, Ball State catcher Britni Clark belted a shot deep into left field, but Rizek dove forward to make the grab. Senior shortstop Bethany Carroll and sophomore first baseman Paige Shemoski connected on a double play in the bottom of the sixth inning to preserve the win. Knoll caught a Cardinal runner trying to steal third base in the third.

“We played very well defensively,” Martin said. “We threw a kid out at third base & and that was a changeup & in the third. Sammy came out with that ball and threw the kid out. It’s huge.”

NIU (10-22 overall, 5-5 MAC West) played flawlessly in the field, making no errors and giving up no unearned runs.

The Huskies provided the defense needed to back up senior hurler Courtney Witviliet (5-6), who pitched a complete game and struck out four batters. The game contrasted greatly from Saturday’s performance, when the Huskies made seven errors.

“I think we were just playing tight,” third baseman Kinsey Olson said. “I think we came out knowing that Ball State was undefeated in the conference … we just didn’t have the confidence.”

The Huskies didn’t have many lapses Sunday afternoon, as the lone Ball State run came on a home run by freshman Lindsay Buckley in the top of the sixth. The Huskies approached Sunday’s game with nothing to lose.

“We were just out there having fun,” Olson said. “We weren’t holding anything back. We were playing relaxed, and we were playing loose; playing like we know how to play.”