IOWA CITY, Iowa—Wrapping up non-conference action, the Northern Illinois University softball team fell in action to the University of Iowa, 10-2 in six innings.
 
Rylie Hartman (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) went 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs while Alana Powell (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy) went 2-for-3 at the plate.
 
How It Happened
 
Mia Morera (Simi Valley, Calif./West Lake) and Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) recorded back-to-back base hits for the Huskies (23-15, 16-6 MAC) in the second inning for the first hits of the game for NIU.
 
Iowa (26-25, 6-15 Big Ten), who had recorded a pair of hits in the first inning, added a two more as they landed on the scoreboard first on an RBI single.
 
A defensive error by the Hawkeyes and walk put two Huskies aboard in the third inning before they would be left stranded on the bases.
 
The Hawkeyes pulled away in the third inning, scoring six runs on three hits to extend their lead to 7-0.
 
The fourth inning saw each team notch a hit, but both threats disappeared just as quickly thanks to inning-ending double plays.
 
The Huskies finally broke through in the sixth when Hartman drove a two-RBI double into right-center, scoring Morera and Ramage.
 
The Hawkeyes added the final three runs in the bottom of the sixth, collecting three hits as they handed the Huskies their second straight loss.
 
NIU returns to Mary M. Bell Field for the final time this season as they are set to host Toledo in the regular season finale, May 1-2. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. on May 1 as the Huskies celebrate senior weekend.
 
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