ST. LOUIS – The Northern Illinois University softball team got back into the win column with an 8-3 victory over host St. Louis on the first day of play in the Billikin Spring Tournament Thursday.

The Huskies (10-13) scored eight runs on 11 hits and took advantage of four Billikin (2-17) errors. Freshman Katie Keller (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) led the way for NIU going 3-for-3, including launching her first career home run, on the day with three RBIs and four runs scored. Anne Allen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) was right behind her going 2-for-3 with three runs scored.

NIU opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first. Keller and Allen scored when Jenny Van Geertry (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) reached on a St. Louis error. Katie Lamich (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) hit her first career homer in the top of the second to give the Huskies a 3-0 advantage.

After the Billikins scored a run in the bottom of the second, Keller scored a run in the top of the third on a Bianca Barone (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) single in the third. NIU added two more runs in the top of the fourth on RBI singles by Keller and Van Geertry.

Keller capped the Huskie scoring on the day with a two-run home run to left field.

"Lamich and Keller picked a great time for their first career home runs," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "We needed an offensive boost and I'm happy they were able to provide it. Kenzie did a nice job in the circle today and battled through her complete game."

Mackenzie Bryan improved to 6-6 on the season after allowing three runs on three hits and two base on balls, while striking out seven in seven innings of work.

The Huskies continue play in the Billikin Spring Tournament Friday when NIU faces Omaha at 11 a.m. and Northern Colorado at 3:30 p.m. Both times Central.

-NIU-