DeKALB, Ill. – Winning their sixth straight game, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team posted a 10-4 victory over the Kent State University Golden Flashes to sweep the series. With the win, the Huskies improve to 18-11 on the season and 12-5 in the MAC standings.
 
The last time the NIU softball team won six games in a row was in 2017 between April 22 and May 2. NIU last swept Kent State in a single season in 1999, winning both regular-season games and defeating the Golden Flashes again in the conference tournament.
 
Izzi Hanna (Granger, Ind./Penn) went 3-of-4 at the plate, scored twice, and drove in three runs. Mia Morera (Simi Valley, Calif./Westlake) was 2-of-3 at the plate, scored once, and drove in three runs.
 
"We're just putting our head down and taking it one step at a time," said NIU head coach Kathryn Gleason. "Offensively, they are really committing to the plan. Coach B (Pasquale) gives them a plan, and they each individually have a plan and hitting to right-center. The pitching staff did a great job all weekend. Great to get Lily some innings today and get her confidence back. They trust themselves and trust the plan and pass the bat. It's just one step at a time. There is a lot of MAC games left and that's what we'll continue to do."
 
Game Recap
 
Kent State (17-22, 7-11 MAC) led the first inning off with a single to center field. The Golden Flashes loaded the bases after a pair of walks before Lily Cassell (La Grange, Ohio/Keystone) struck out the final two batters.
 
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) singled to left field to start the bottom half of the inning before Hanna recorded her first base hit. NIU loaded the bases as Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) walked before a walk issued to Kayla Estrada (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King) scored Turner. Morera hit a sacrifice flyout to right field to score Hanna while Stewart scored on a fielder's choice for NIU's third run of the inning.
 
A defensive error by the Huskies allowed the first batter from Kent State to reach base. Kent State scored their first run of the game on an RBI single to center field before Cassell collected her fourth strikeout of the game.
 
Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) doubled to center field to lead off the second inning for NIU. A defensive error put Lia Nance (Oceanside, Calif./Oceanside) on base before a Hanna triple sent both runners home. Estrada doubled down the right field line to score Hanna before being brought home on a Morera double to left field.
 
The Huskies went 1-2-3 against Kent State in the top of the third inning before NIU opened the bottom frame with back-to-back hits. A Hanna base hit to left field scored the eighth run of the game for NIU.
 
Kent State hit the lone home run in the game in the fourth inning, a solo shot before scored on an RBI triple late in the inning.
 
Back-to-back base hits by the Huskies to start the fourth inning saw Mallory Wollenman (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) score the ninth run of the game. A Rylie Hartman (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) double sent Morera across the plate for the final NIU run.
 
Kent State added their final run in the sixth inning, scoring on an RBI single.
 
The Huskies will conclude their eight-game home stand with a non-conference doubleheader against the Braves of Bradley University. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on April 14.
 
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