While the NIU softball team failed to sweep another opponent, the Huskies got some important confidence builders that could be crucial in postseason play.

After managing just eight hits in a double header against Miami on Tuesday, the Huskies’ bats finally came to life. NIU exploded for 23 hits during the three games, nine coming in a 10-3 rout in the opener Friday.

The Huskies continued their strong defensive efforts, going 2-1 against Toledo, even though centerfielder Kelly Redican sat out with an illness. NIU also received solid performances from its pitching staff, giving up just nine runs in the three games.

“I thought we played real well. We were hitting really well,” freshman hurler Anne Hamilton said. “We also had really good defense all weekend.”

Senior Suzie Rizek and junior Samantha Knoll each tallied two hits in the opener, while junior Kathy LeClear tallied two runs to spark the Huskies in that contest.

In the first game, freshman pitcher Amy Krahula (3-2) gave up three runs and four hits but notched four strikeouts helping key a 6-3 win. However, she also had the offense to back her up. Knoll, who went 3-of-4 for the day, scored two runs in the contest, including a home run in the third inning. The catcher/left fielder also drilled a triple to score LeClear in the sixth inning. The Huskies (9-18, 4-3, Mid-American Conference West), who had managed just hits before Friday, batted in eight hits against Toledo (11-13, 5-3 MAC West) Saturday.

To make up for Redican’s absence, Martin shuffled the lineup, moving senior left fielder Rizek to center field. Martin also kept sophomore Erin Holohan in the batting rotation in more innings. The coach believes that the lineup changes brought out positives.

“We tried to get a lot of different players an opportunity to play,” Martin said. “We did some different things, and good things came out of that.”

In Game 2, Hamilton gave up just three runs and four hits in five and one-third innings. But the Huskies didn’t have the offense to back up her pitching, losing 3-1.

NIU did outhit the Rockets 6-5 but couldn’t make the plays in crucial innings of the contest. Still, Hamilton (1-4) believes the game gave her reason for optimism, as she also fanned four batters.

“I was really happy with how I did,” she said. “I wasn’t happy with my walks. I haven’t pitched a game where I felt extremely confident, but that game I felt pretty good.”

Toledo pitcher Colette McMasters (4-5) went the distance, and the Huskies struggled against her through the first five innings.

“We just didn’t start to hit until sixth and seventh inning. We needed to hit through our whole game,” Hamilton said. “We struggled. Even though we had seen [McMasters] before, she just seemed to be stopping us.”