HOUSTON – The Northern Illinois University softball concluded play at the Houston Challenge hosted by Houston with a 3-0 victory over Incarnate Word Sunday.
The Huskies (8-7) jumped on top of the Cardinals early with a run in the bottom of the first and another in the second.
With runners on second and third with one out, Dominique Greeno (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston) reached on a fielder's choice driving in Amberly Rodriguez (Romeoville, Ill./Plainfiled) from third and giving NIU a 1-0 lead.
NIU tacked on another run in the bottom of the second. With two on and one out Rodriguez singled to left field to drive in Katie Keller (Geneva, Ill./Geneva).
Mackenzie Bryan (Elwood, Ind./Elwood) took over from there, holding the Cardinals to two hits the final five innings.
The Huskies added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out double by Keller.
Keller led the way for the Huskie line up, going 3-for-3 on the day with an RBI and run scored.
"Kenzie finished out the weekend strong," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We did a better job of staying patient at the plate with Keller coming through with a great offensive day."
The Huskies have an off week before traveling to Seattle, Wash. to compete in the Husky Classic Mar. 8-10. NIU opens play with Idaho State Friday, Mar. 8. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT.
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