The NIU softball team’s bats came to life in Game 1 of a double-header, leading the Huskies to a 4-2 victory over Central Michigan University.

The Huskies ended the Chippewas 13-game winning streak after they dropped the first game of the three-game series on Friday 2-1. In Game 2, the

Mid-American Conference rival jumped all over Huskie pitching in a 9-0 rout.

Friday’s game featured a pitching dual between NIU freshman Amy Kruhula and CMU’s ace, Amber Puchalski. Kruhula pitched a complete game, allowing just

one earned run on nine hits, while striking out seven in a losing effort.

Puchalski took a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth, but freshman Megan Mirer drove a solo home run, which was her first collegiate home run, over the left-field

fence to cut the CMU lead to one.

In Game 1, NIU’s (16-29 overall, 10-9 MAC) offense pounded out four runs on eight hits. Freshman Kelly Redican put the Huskies on the board in the third

inning when she hit a bases-loaded infield single, which drove in senior Bethany Carroll.

Junior Samantha Knoll and senior Chrisy Johnson accounted for five of the Huskies hits and two RBI.

In the bottom of the fourth, both players hit back-to-back RBI singles to give NIU a 3-0 lead.

“How about that,” NIU softball head coach Donna Martin said. “Chrisy gave us some great production from the nine-spot in the line-up.”

Senior Courtney Witvliet pitched a complete game for the Huskies, notching her 10th win of the season.

The senior only allowed two hits spanning over the seven innings and had about three errors.

“The first game — we came out and played with a lot of energy,” senior Suzie Rizek said. “The second game, it was a lot different atmosphere on the field.”

Game 2 featured a rematch from Friday as both Krahula and Puchlaski took the mound again.

However, the end result was much different for NIU. Kruhula did not show the control she had on Friday, as she walked four CMU hitters in three innings of

work.

CMU’s Michelle Brander knocked a third inning, two-run home run to left, giving the Chippewas a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, everything seemed to fall apart for the Huskies as CMU (28-18 overall, 17-4 MAC) put up six runs on three hits. NIU walked four Chippewa

hitters and committed one error.

“Your success on defense and your success on the season starts on the mound,” Martin said. “For Amy, that’s a lot of concentration against a hot streak. She’ll

be better because of it.”

Failing to get the no-hitter on Friday, Puchalski baffled Huskie hitters as she turned in her sixth no-hitter of the season. Despite giving up three walks, the Huskies could not manage a hit in the game.

NIU travels to Kent State today to take on the MAC rival in double-header action at 2 p.m.