Splitting a pair of shutouts, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team (11-21, 6-7 MAC) hosted the Falcons of Bowling Green State University (13-23, 5-7 MAC) for the first two games of the three-game series. The Falcons took the first game in a 1-0 score before the Huskies took game two, winning 2-0.

Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) was credited with four of the five strikeouts for the Huskies in the first game, seeing action in five innings. Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) and Kacie Quick (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West) led the Huskies at the plate as they went 2-for-3 in the first game of the day.

Lily Cassell (La Grange, Ohio/Keystone) retired 14 straight batters in the second game before allowing her first hit in the game.

Four different Huskies recorded hits in the second game, including Turner with a five-game hitting streak. Madison Mathews (Yuma, Ariz./Cibola) joined Turner as the duo were the only Huskies to record hits in both games this afternoon.

“We’ve been talking about situational hitting all season and putting balls into play,” said NIU head coach Kathryn Gleason. “Credit to our pitching staff. They are getting stronger and stronger throughout the year and we are proud of how they set the tone in the circle. Our focus is on next, whether that’s a hit or a run, and that’s how we’ll prepare for tomorrow’s finale.”

Turner opened action in the first inning with a single to the infield before being left of base. Stewart recorded three of her four strikeouts in the first two innings as the pitcher’s battled in the circle. Stewart allowed one hit in the first three innings while the Huskies were credited with three hits.

Bowling Green scored in the fourth inning as a lead-off single to take a 1-0 lead over the Huskies. The Falcons loaded the bases in the fifth after starting the inning with back-to-back outs before Lia Nance (Oceanside, Calif./Oceanside) recorded the final out of the inning.

NIU recorded four additional hits in the game as the NIU offense left three runners stranded.

Leading off the second game with a single, Turner before advancing to second base on a wild pitch. Turner would be left stranded on the bases as the Falcon defense retired the next three Huskie batters.

Alana Powell (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy) and Nance recorded back-to-back singles in the third before they both recorded stolen bases in the inning. Powell scored on her stolen base for the first run of the game as Nance scored on Mathews’ RBI double to center field.

The Falcons recorded their first hit of the game in the fifth inning and added hits in the final two innings.

With a Falcon on base, the Huskies ended the game in a double play for their third shutout of the season.

Cassell recorded three strikeouts as the Huskies recorded their fourth game with two or more stolen bases this season.

The Huskies conclude action against the Falcons on April 6 with first pitch set for 12 p.m. at Mary M. Bell Field.