With its seniors playing their last home game, the NIU softball team pulled through in the end.

A bases loaded, walk-off double by junior Bailey Ouellette gave the Huskies a 6-5 win over Ball State Sunday afternoon in the second game of a doubleheader.

NIU split the two games with the Cardinals, losing the first game 4-2.

“[The difference was] timely execution of hitting,” said NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard. “We couldn’t get a key hit or put the pall on the ground when we needed to the first game.”

NIU senior Krista McPherson stole her 20th base of the season in the first game, placing her second in NIU history for most stolen bases in a season. McPherson had four hits and four runs in the doubleheader.

“It’s great to go out on a win,” McPherson said. “I got to first base [in the seventh inning of game two] and I just wanted it to keep going. I didn’t want [my career] to end on a loss.”

NIU pitcher Taryn Hagemann picked up the loss in the first game.

However, the senior came back in the fifth inning of the second game and held Ball State to two runs on four hits to pick up the win.

“It was wonderful for the seniors,” Chouinard said. “They’ve been here four years and have put in all the hard work.”

The Huskies also played a home doubleheader Friday against Miami (Ohio) University. NIU lost both games 7-4 and 10-1.

The Huskies were able to hang close in the first game until the RedHawks plated three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 5-3 lead, which it would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

NIU was able to score first in the second game, but was unable to hold down the Miami offense after allowing 10 runs. Huskie freshman Joreigh Landers pitched all six innings, allowing 14 hits and 10 runs. The RedHawks held NIU to just two hits in the game.

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