DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Softball team won the series finale with Akron, shutting out the Zips on an overcast day at Mary M. Bell Field Saturday.
 
The Huskies (13-11, 2-1) used the long ball, a little small ball and another strong pitching performance from Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo.) to defeat Akron (12-15, 1-2), 3-0.
 
"This is the game we pretty much expected today," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "Alex did an awesome job today holding them and shutting them out after the offense Akron displayed yesterday.
 
"I think we left way too many runners on base. I think we could've opened the game up even more, but the fact we came out to win the series, that's what it's all about."
 
Frenz went the distance, allowing just two hits and two walks, while striking out three in seven innings of work.
 
A leadoff home run by Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the third opened the game's scoring and broke up the no-hitter by Akron's Lexi Handley. Later in the inning, with one out and a runner on second, Sam Schmidt reached when Akron's first baseman couldn't handle the throw from the shortstop and Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central) was able to score all the way from second.
 
The Huskies got an insurance run when, with a runner on second and one out, Kayti Grable (Santana, Calif./Santee) skied a fly ball in short left centerfield that dropped between three Zip fielders. Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was able to come all the way around from second to score.
 
"We were definitely more patient around the plate today," Sutcliffe said. "We weren't allowing the zone to affect them at all. We were just to get our pitch, put it in play and see what happens."
 
The combination of Kossakowski and Harnish at the top of the order was potent for the Huskies. Harnish was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Kossakowski went 1-for-3 from the plate with an RBI and run scored.
 
The Huskies continue their eight-game homestand Wednesday when NIU plays host to Loyola in a doubleheader at Mary M. Bell Field. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m. with the second game to follow.
 
-NIU-