ST. LOUIS—Despite a late comeback attempt, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team (5-13) fell in action this afternoon to the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits (12-13), 15-6.
 
The Huskies recorded 10 hits in the game, tying for the second most hits this season. The six runs scored were also the second most this season with six different athletes scoring for NIU.
 
The Jackrabbits opened the game with a pair of runs off two hits and an error in the first inning. Keeping the pressure on the Huskies, the Jackrabbits added four runs off five hits in the second inning and a seventh run in the third to take a 7-0 over NIU.
 
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) recorded the first hit of the game for the Huskies in the second inning, with a single to third base. Alana Powell (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy) and Brianna Pechman (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago Community) recorded singles for the Huskies in the bottom of the third as Powell scored on a throwing error by South Dakota State. Pechman went 2-of-2 at the plate with a run in the game this afternoon.
 
Madison Mathews (Yuma, Ariz./Cibola) marked her sixth double of the season in the bottom of the fourth as the Jackrabbits defense allowed no additional hits in the inning. Pechman got her second hit of the day in the fifth, a single to infield as the Huskies got two on base after a hit-by-pitch. Jaylyn Brister (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) had her first hit of the game, a 2 RBI single sending Pechman and Kacie Quick (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West) across the plate. Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) scored as Mathews reached via a fielder's choice as the Huskies scored three runs in the fifth.
 
The Jackrabbits put the game away in the top of the seventh, scoring eight runs off four hits. NIU saw three pitchers make appearances during the inning as they worked to find an answer to the SDSU offense. Alanah Velazquez (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter) and Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) scored the final two runs of the game as the Huskies fell in a non-conference match-up against the Jackrabbits.
 
The Huskies return to DeKalb on Friday, March 14 as they open Mid-American Conference action against the Central Michigan University Chippewas. NIU and CMU will face off in a three-game series, with first pitch set for 3 p.m. at Mary M. Bell Field on Friday. Action will conclude on March 15 with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.