TEMPE, Ariz. –The Northern Illinois University softball team suffered a 10-2 setback at No. 11 Arizona State at Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium Tuesday night.
 
Back-to-back five-run innings by the Sun Devils, coupled with an offense that was held to two hits on the night proved to be too much for the Huskies to overcome.
 
NIU (3-6) got off to a strong start defensively, and in the circle, early in the contest. Freshman Claire Norred and the Huskie defense kept the Sun Devils off the board through the first two innings, allowing just one hit.
 
Unfortunately for the Huskies, Arizona State's offense came alive in the third. After a leadoff homer, the Huskies were one out away from getting out of the inning with minimal damage. However, with bases loaded and two outs, a Sun Devils single to center plated two and a two-run double gave Arizona State a 5-0 advantage.
 
NIU responded in the top of the fourth with two runs of its own. With two on and no outs, Carley Goetchius reached on a fielder's choice to score Kara Apato. Bianca Barone then reached on a fielder's choice to score Katie Keller. That would be all the offense the Huskies could muster in the inning and the game.
 
Arizona State tallied another five-run inning in the fourth inning, with four of those runs coming with two outs. Makenna Harper delivered the big blow with a three-run home run to give the homestanding Sun Devils an eight-run advantage.
 
The Huskies return to the diamond tomorrow night when NIU returns to Phoenix for a single game with Grand Canyon. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
 
-NIU-