KENT, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University Softball team posted an 8-6 win over Kent State to take the series at Diamond at Dix Sunday afternoon.
 
The Huskies (18-15, 6-5) used a six-run third and a strong pitching performance from Tara Thacker (Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) to win the series finale over the Golden Flashes (15-21, 5-6).
 
"It was a good bounce back performance from Tara. No doubt," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We did just enough in that big inning to score some runs. It wasn't always pretty but got it done."
 
NIU received production from the top and bottom of the line up with Kayti Grable (Santa, Calif./Santee) leading the way in the three hole, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Jessica Rio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) and Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) each added an RBI and a run scored from the six and eight spots, respectively.
 
"It's nice when you get the top and bottom of your order producing," Sutcliffe said. "This time it was both Katies. Another time it might be somebody else. Kayti definitely had a great day today and helped us out and Lamich has just been steady in conference play, getting it done."
 
After falling behind 2-0 after Kent State plated a pair in the opening frame, the Huskies came back two innings later with a six spot by tallying four hits and taking advantage of a pair of Golden Flashes' errors.
 
Lamich and Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) began the rally coaxing back-to-back walks. Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central) then singled to center to score Lamich and Van Geertry advanced to third on an error. Grable drove in the second run of the inning when she singled to right field. Harnish advanced to third on the play to put runners at the corners with one out.
 
Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) was intentionally walked to load the bases for Anne Allen (New Lennox, Ill./Lincoln-Way North). Allen was hit by a pitch to drive in Harnish from third and give NIU the lead. RBI singles by Rio, Sam Schmidt (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) and Lamich gave the Huskies a four-run lead.
 
Kent State cut the lead to three when it scored a run in the bottom of the third. However, NIU got that run right back when Grable homered to left centerfield in the top of the fourth.
 
The Golden Flashes would not go away as Cader hit a three-run homer to centerfield to make the score 7-6. Alex Frenz (Oakville, Mo.) was lifted in favor of Thacker who was literally unhittable. The Huskie junior allowed only three walks in her three-and-two-thirds innings of work.
 
 
The Huskies added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't needed. Kent State was retired in order and the Huskies picked up the win.
 
NIU returns to the field Wednesday when the Huskies play host to Ball State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Live stats will be available on NIUHuskies.com and fans can watch the game live on NIUTube.
 
-NIU-