DEKALB, Ill. – A pair of big innings paved the way for a 7-4 victory by the Northern Illinois University Softball team over local foe Loyola at Mary M. Bell Field Wednesday.
 
The Huskies (14-11) pounded out 10 hits and received an outstanding performance in the circle from Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Hoover Canton) in their victory over the Ramblers (17-11).
 
"We showed a lot of tenacity, both offensively and defensively," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "To come up and match the three runs. We did it our own way, were able to get through it and Tara settled in obviously and figured it out."
 
Thacker went six-and-a-third innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out eight. The Huskies' top of the order did much of the damage, going a combined 6-for-9, with Kayti Grable (Santana, Calif./Santee) leading the way. She went 3-for-4 with a run batted in and a run scored, while Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central) was 1-for-1 with a big two-out two run single in the third.
 
"She did a great job," Sutcliffe said of Grable. "Some hits were with runners on some were not. She didn't too much. She just found a gap and passed it on to the next kid.
 
Loyola jumped on top of the Huskies early with a three-run first inning. However, the Huskies responded with a three-spot of their own in the bottom of the inning. Alaynie Woollard began the rally with an RBI double to drive in Harnish. With runners on second and third, Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) delivered the big blow in the inning with a two-run single.
 
"The key at bat in that game was Abby's," she said. "She had a 10-12 pitch at bat and was able to come through with a hit. If she doesn't do that, I don't know how the game comes out."
 
Thacker then struck out the side in the top of the second and Grable delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to put the Huskies up for good.
 
NIU tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the third. Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) began the big inning when she reached on an error. She came around to score when Anne Allen (New Lennox, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded. Harnish then dumped a singled to right-center to put the Huskies up, 7-3.
 
With NIU leading 7-4 in the top of the seventh, Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo.) came in to pitch in relief for Thacker. Frenz pitched out of a bases loaded jam, when she induced a one-two-three double play record the final two outs and pick up her second save of the season.
 
The Huskies continue their eight-game homestand Friday when NIU plays host to Bowling Green for a weekend set at Mary M. Bell Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
 
-NIU-