DeKALB — The NIU softball team continues to keep an even 6-6 season record after the second day of the Austin Peay Tournament, defeating Bellarmine University twice and falling to Austin Peay State University in back-to-back days.

MAC honors Katie Keller

Senior infielder Katie Keller was named the MAC softball player of the week following her performance at the Frost Classic Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last weekend. One of the highlights for Keller was a walk-off grand slam at the end of a game against Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 26.

Day one, game one: NIU 3, Bellarmine 0

Starting sophomore pitcher Emily Dato had three strikeouts for the first game of the day. Despite allowing six hits and walking three batters, Dato was able to work with her defense to prevent the Bellarmine Knights from scoring any runs.

Senior outfielder Kara Apato and senior outfielder MacKenzie Mahy led the team in hits with two each. Freshman designated hitter Kacie Quick batted in two of the Huskies’ three runs with a base hit in the fifth inning. The play was followed up by another run scored off of a double from Apato.

The bottom of the fifth was the only part of the game with any scoring action from either side.

Day one, game two: Austin Peay 4, NIU 3

NIU lost its second game of the day after a comeback attempt in the final inning fell short. Austin Peay gained the lead early and was winning 3-0 by the end of the third inning. A solo home run in the fifth inning from Austin Peay catcher Mea Clark put the Governors ahead with a 4-2 score. 

Junior Sam Mallinder came in to pinch hit in the top of the seventh inning, which resulted in Keller scoring off of a single hit to the outfield to bring the score to 4-3. The Huskies were unable to turn the run into a rally and were just one run shy of creating a tie ball game.

Junior Kelly Walinski, along with Apato and Keller, led NIU in the hitting category with two hits each for the game.

Day two, game one: NIU 10, Bellarmine 7  

In their rematch against the Knights, the Huskies came out on top once again with a more action packed 10-7 victory. Keller had an impressive outing for NIU, racking up four hits and four runs batted in. She broke NIU’s program record of 56 doubles after the first day of the tournament, and she continued to add to her new record with multiple extra-base hits Saturday.

The Huskies had the biggest inning in the top of the third, scoring six runs to give them a sizable lead over Bellarmine for the rest of the game. Both teams had 11 hits, but NIU was able to put more runners in scoring position and execute.

Sophomore pitcher Claire Norred worked together with Dato for a combined seven strikeouts  for the game.

Day two, game two: Austin Peay 8, NIU 3

NIU was unable to get past Austin Peay State University, losing 8-3 in their second attempt against the host team at the tournament.

The Huskies held an early 2-0 lead until the Governors fired back with a three-run rally in the bottom of the third inning. NIU answered back with another run to tie up the game in the top of the fifth, but they were unable to find any more scoring success for the rest of the game. A run from Austin Peay in the fifth inning followed by four more in the sixth sealed the deal for their victory over NIU.

Looking ahead to next weekend

The NIU softball team’s game against the University of Northern Iowa, scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m., has been canceled. The Huskies will see their next action Friday, when they travel to Carbondale for the Southern Illinois University Tournament.