IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Northern Illinois University Softball team swept the final two games of its spring break trip defeating South Dakota and South Dakota State at Hawkeye Invitational Friday.
 
"We had great pitching performances today from all three pitchers," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We had great offensive production from Kayti, Kali and Jess and we made some great plays defensively to minimize some innings where the opponents only got one run.
 
"Obviously, the offensive power of Kali and Sam was great to see. It felt like we got back into a groove today. Hopefully we can carry this performance into the Akron series next weekend."
 
The Huskie (11-10) bats, which have been silent much of their seven-game trip, woke up at Pearl Field. NIU posted a 4-1 win over South Dakota and rallied for a 6-2 victory over South Dakota State as the Huskies pounded out 21 hits, including four extra base hits, on the day.
 
NIU overcame three errors stranding nine runners in its victory over South Dakota State. Trailing 2-1 heading into the top of the seventh, the Huskies rallied for five runs in the inning go take a four-run lead into the bottom of the inning.
 
With runners on second and third and no outs, Kayti Grable (Santana, Calif./Santee) began the rally when she singled to right field scoring Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) from third.
Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) then reached on a sacrifice bunt when the play went to home to attempt to throw out Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Burling Central) to give NIU a 3-2 lead.
 
With one out and runners on the corners, Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) cleared the bases with a single to left center. Rio advanced second on the play, putting her in scoring position for Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central). Lamich delivered with a base hit to score Rio, but was thrown out trying to advance to second.
 
Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo.) and the Huskies retired the Jackrabbits in order in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win. Frenz, who came in to pitch in relief for Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) with one out in the bottom of the fourth, was dominant in the circle in three and two-thirds innings. her only blemish in the game was a hit batter in the sixth.
 
The Huskies used the long ball in its first victory of the day, as a pair of Huskies, Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) and Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) each homered in the with over the Coyotes.
 
Grable opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning to drive in Kossakowski from second. NIU extended its lead to 2-0 when Kossakowski hit a lead-off home run.
 
After South Dakota cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the fourth, the Huskies came back with a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth. Schmidt hit a solo homer to left field and Lamich to give NIU a three-run advantage.
 
Keegan Hayes (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and Frenz were solid in the circle. Hayes allowed one run on three hits and two base on balls to pick up the win. Frenz pitched the final three innings, allowing one hit and striking out six to collect the save.
 
NIU returns to the diamond Friday when the Huskies play host to Akron at Mary M. Bell Field in the home opener. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and there will be live scoring and video available at NIUHuskies.com.
 
-NIU-