Softball | February 11

DeKALB, Ill. — The Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team is heading south for their first tournament of the 2026 season as they are set to compete at the Bevo Classic in Austin, Texas, February 13-15.
 
The Huskies will take on 2025 NCAA Champions Texas, Abilene Christian, Ohio State, and Syracuse in the three-day tournament. Action starts at 9:30 a.m. CT on February 13 against Abilene Christian with all games and times available at NIUHuskies.com.
 
This will be only the fifth meeting between the Huskies and a top-25 opponent as Texas is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. Ohio State is receiving votes in the national poll.
 
Friday's meeting between the Huskies and Wildcats of Abilene Christian (0-5) will be the first meeting between the programs. The Huskies and Wildcats will see each other twice this weekend, with their second meeting coming on February 14.
 
Ohio State went 2-2 in the first weekend of the season and are led by former Miami (Ohio) head coach Kirin Kumar. This will be the first meeting between the Huskies and Ohio State since 2022 with the Buckeyes holding an 11-2 series lead.
 
The Orange of Syracuse (3-2) and the Huskies meet for only the third time in program history when they take the field on Saturday, February 14. Each team has one win in the series.
 
The Huskies face off against the Longhorns of Texas on Sunday, February 15 to cap off the weekend. Texas went 4-1 in the opening weekend and are hitting .361 ahead of action this week.
 
Sunday's game will have a familial connection as Huskies senior pitcher/infielder Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East) and Longhorns junior infielder Katie Stewart are sisters. The duo has never faced each other on the diamond in their college careers as Texas holds a 2-0 all-time series record against NIU
 
Looking Ahead
 
Following games in Texas, the Huskies head to Memphis, Tennessee for five games, February 20-22. The Huskies will face Kentucky, Indiana State, Morehead State, North Carolina A&T, and Bradley.
 
Entering March, NIU travels to Big Ten school Purdue for the final non-conference tournament, March 6-8. NIU will play two games against Purdue while also facing Green Bay and St. Bonaventure.
 
The final Mid-American Conference season starts for the Huskies on March 13 as they host Buffalo in DeKalb.
 
Returning Stat Leaders
 
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) led the Huskies last season in batting average (.380), hits (68), runs scored (35), and was one of two Huskies to start all 51 games. Turner also led the Huskies in stolen bases with 12 on 16 attempts.
 
Stewart also hit above .300, finishing the season at .322. She started 50 games, while seeing action in all 51 games.  Stewart had 49 hits, 12 doubles, 3 home runs, and 30 RBIs for NIU. Stewart also spent time in the circle for NIU, pitching 102.2 innings, and led the team with 77 strikeouts while holding opponents to .282 batting average.
 
Lily Cassell (LaGrange, Ohio/Keystone) led NIU with 115.1 innings pitched and had 10 complete games with a pair of shutouts.
 
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