DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University softball team posted an 8-4 victory over Akron in the series finale with the Zips at Mary M. Bell Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
NIU (15-25, 9-15) took advantage of two Akron (4-32, 3-19) errors, and put pressure on their defense to secure the Huskies' third consecutive win.
 
Kelly Walinski led the charge for the Huskies going 2-for-3 on the day, with four RBIs on the afternoon. Sam Mallinder provided a spark at the bottom of the order, going 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
 
Starter Mackenzie Bryan, who was very effective in Saturday's win in the second game of the doubleheader, battled adversity early in the game, but was able to keep the Huskies in the contest until the Huskie bats could warm up. Claire Norred was strong in relief, holding the Zips to one run on one hit in three innings of work, retiring the final six batters she faced in order.
 
"Kenzie did a good job," NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe said. "We gave up two runs and they didn't have a hit. I just thought we needed to switch things up and get a new arm in there. Claire came in a little wild, but was able to bear down and settle in. Her adrenaline was getting the best of her. Once she settled down, she definitely got the momentum on our side."
 
Akron jumped out to a 2-0 lead through the first three innings, all without the benefit of a hit. The Zips manufactured the game's first run on a lead-off walk, fielder's choice, sacrifice bunt and sac fly. In the top of the third, a one-out walk came back to bite Bryan and the Huskies.
 
Jaiden Bryant coaxed a walk after an eight-pitch at bat and quickly stole second. She then took third following the second walk to an Akron batter in the inning. Bryant came around to score on an errant throw to catch a Zip runner trying to steal second.
 
The Huskies responded in the bottom of the third to tie the game, taking advantage of some wildness from Akron's pitchers. Mallinder was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved all the way to third on a one out single by Walinski.
 
After a Katie Keller walk loaded the bases, Mallinder beat the play at plate on an infield shot by Bianca Barone. With the bases loaded and one out Kira Mickelson drove in Walinski on a sacrifice fly to right field.
 
Akron retook the lead with a run in the top of the fourth, but NIU pulled ahead for good with a three spot in the bottom of the frame. Kara Apato walked to lead off the inning and quickly moved to third on a stolen base, then wild pitch.
 
Izzy Smith drove her in on a ground out to tie the game. With runners on second and third with one out, Walinski hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Courtney James, who pinch ran for Mallinder. Heads up base running by Amberly Rodriguez, who reached via error earlier in the inning, gave NIU its third run of the inning as she scored all the way from second on the play.
 
Norred started the fifth for NIU, allowing one run and cutting the Huskie lead to 5-4.
 
Walinski put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth on one swing. With the bases loaded and one out, she hit a blast to left-center field, clearing the bases and giving NIU an 8-4 advantage.
 
NIU opens a six-game road trip Friday, April 30 when the Huskies travel to Buffalo for a weekend set with the Bulls. First pitch for the series opener is set for 3 p.m. CT.
 
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