AKRON, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University softball team dropped a doubleheader to the University of Akron by scores of 4-2 and 6-3 Saturday afternoon in Mid-American Conference play.

Despite a combined 13 hits and four stolen bases, the Huskies couldn't overcome 14 runners left on base.

"We just didn't play clean enough to come out with a win today unfortunately," Huskies head coach Christina Sutcliffe said. "They didn't have a lot of hits but we just weren't able to make the play and we walked too many people that they made us pay for."

NIU did stake a 2-1 lead in Game 1 as well as a 2-0 advantage in the second game, but Akron responded twice to overcome the deficit and ultimately earn the sweep.

"Early on we were able to put the ball in play and capitalize on some speed," Sutcliffe said. "But unfortunately from there we left runners in scoring position too many times and weren't able to come through with a hit."

The first game saw the Huskies engineer their early advantage after overcoming a 1-0 deficit. Kelly Walinski reached on an error in the fourth and came around on Avery Carnahan's RBI double to center field to tie at 1-1. Carnahan then came home on an RBI single from Amberly Rodriguez. In Game 2 Rodriguez' reach on an RBI fielder's choice and Kara Apato's RBI groundout in the second and third innings, respectively put NIU in control, but Akron responded with three runs in both the third and the fifth inning, highlighted by a two-run double in the third.

Despite the setback, Huskies' pitcher Claire Norred combined to toss 7 1/3 innings while striking out six batters and walking three.

"Claire did a nice job," Sutcliffe said. "She kept them off balance fairly well and was able to get some groundball outs, but unfortunately we weren't able to close the door when we needed to."

Both Izzy Smith and Carnahan led the Huskies offense as they combined to go 3 for 6 at the plate. Smith also roped a double.  

"Tomorrow's a new day and we'll just need to figure out how to hit their pitching a little bit better," Sutcliffe said. "If we have more productive at-bats we'll have a chance to win that game. Today we weren't patient enough and disciplined at the plate."

NIU closes out the series with a single game at 10 am CT Sunday morning.

-NIU-