BEAUMONT, Texas – The Northern Illinois University softball team closed out play in the Cardinal Classic with a 4-2 setback to host Lamar Sunday.
 
The Huskies (6-3) tallied 11 hits off starter Ciara Luna, but were unable to get timely hitting to capitalize.
 
"We beat them in every category but the one that counts," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "Unfortunately, that's how today went."
 
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the fourth, Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) led off the inning with a single to left field. Two batters later, a one-out single by Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) put runners at first and second with one out. Unfortunately for NIU, a strike out by Becca Rupard (Normal, Ill./Normal West) and line out by Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) ended the scoring opportunity for the Huskies.
 
The Cardinals (5-9) made the Huskies pay in the bottom of the fourth, plating two more runs to open up a 4-1 advantage.
 
NIU cut into that lead in the top of the fifth, when, with two on and two outs, Schmidt singled to right field allowing Bekah Harnish to score from third. However, that would be as close as the Huskies would come. A fly out to left by Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) with runners on the corners ended the inning.
 
"We just couldn't get the clutch hit when we needed it," Sutcliffe said. "We made some base running mistakes, coupled with some generous calls. The ball just didn't fall our way today."
 
Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo./Oakville) fell to 3-1 on the season, allowing four runs on three hits.
 
NIU returns to action Friday when the Huskies travel to Carbondale, Ill. for the Coach B Classic hosted by Southern Illinois. NIU opens play in the tournament Friday at 1 p.m. against Kentucky.
 
-NIU-