DeKALB, Ill.— A quick start by the Northern Illinois University softball offense helped lead to an 8-2 victory over the Ball State Cardinals (15-18, 3-10 MAC). The Huskies (13-11, 7-5 MAC) scored five runs in the first three innings as they held Ball State to just three hits in the game.
 
With 11 hits in the game, NIU marked their 11th game with double-digit hits and the first consecutive double-digit hits game since Buffalo (3/14) and Ohio (3/20).
 
Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East), Alana Powell (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy), and Ally Rodriguez (Romeoville, Ill./Plainfield East) all went 2-of-4 at the plate today while Rylie Hartman (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) went 2-of-3 for NIU.
 
"I thought we came out ready to play (and) excited to play. We haven't played a midweek, so this was a good start for us and we scored first," said NIU head coach Kathryn Gleason. "Maddy (Carlson) just gives us a presence on the mound, and she is just leading us right now. Hitting is contagious and they know that and believe in each other. I thought we had some great at bats today and they were disciplined at the plate today."
 
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) was the first player from either side to reach base after being hit by the pitch. The Cardinals issued two walks as the Huskies loaded the bases with just one out in the inning. Mia Morera (Simi Valley, Calif./Westlake) reached base on a fielder's choice as Turner crossed home plate for the first run of the game. Powell hit an RBI double to center field, leading Kayla Estrada (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King) to score the second run of the game for NIU.
 
Madison Carlson (South Beloit, Ill./South Beloit) and the Huskie defense collected five straight outs from Ball State before they recorded their first hit of the game in the second inning. Turner caught a pop-up to end the inning as NIU led 2-0.
 
Hartman and Rodriguez had back-to-back hits to lead the bottom of the inning off before they were left stranded on the bases.
 
Estrada reached base via a defensive error by the Cardinals as Morera singled for the first hit of the third inning. Powell collected her second RBI of the game, sending Mallory Wollenmann (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) to score. NIU loaded the bases late in the inning as Turner hit a 2 RBI double to right field to score Lia Nance (Oceanside, Calif./Oceanside) and Powell.
 
The Huskie defense kept the pressure on, allowing now hits until the fifth inning. The Cardinals would score their first run on an RBI single on the final play of the inning.
 
Stewart, who had recorded a double in the fourth inning, had a base-clearing double in the fifth as three Huskies scored on the play. Rodriguez was the only other Huskie to record a hit in the inning as NIU was issued four walks.
 
The Cardinals loaded the bases in the sixth and pushed across their final run before Stewart ended the inning with a strikeout.
 
NIU recorded just one hit in the sixth inning as they took the first game of the series.
 
The Huskies and Cardinals will continue their series tomorrow (April 8) with a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Mary M. Bell Field and admission is free.
 
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