PHOENIX – The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped its doubleheader at Grand Canyon at GCU Softball Stadium on Saturday.
 
NIU (3-4) suffered a 2-1 setback in game one, before falling 10-5 in the nightcap. The Huskies took a lead in both games but were unable to keep the Lopes at bay.
 
Bianca Barone put NIU up 1-0 with an RBI single in the top of the fourth, driving in Katie Keller. However, Grand Canyon (8-9) responded in the bottom of the inning by taking advantage of a Huskie error.
 
With two on and two out, Kaylee Dietrich reached on an error, tying the game, 1-1. Daisy Taloa singled up the middle to drive in the game-winning run.
 
The Huskies came roaring back in the second game of the day, jumping out to a 3-0 lead with a three-run first inning. Once again, it was Barone leading the charge as the Huskie junior roped a two-run, two-out double to right center scoring Keller and Carley Goetschius. Barone then scored when Kira Mickelson reached on a Lope error.
 
Unfortunately for NIU, Grand Canyon took a 4-3 lead with a four-spot in the bottom of the frame. The Lopes added two runs in the bottom of the second and four more in the bottom of the fourth to open a 10-3 advantage over the Huskies.
 
NIU pulled to within five with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. However, that would be as close as the Huskies would get.

"We have some adversity to get through this week," NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe said. "Our team will continue to pound the process and get better every chance we can. We had many shining moments today."
 
The Huskies return to the diamond tomorrow to conclude their three-game set with Grand Canyon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT. Fans can follow all the action via live stats and can watch the game by going to the softball schedule page and click on the available links.
 
-NIU-