The NIU softball team gave another Big Ten team a scare Wednesday but came away empty-handed again, losing to Wisconsin 2-0.

Freshman Morgan Bittner pitched well in the loss. The California native threw six innings, giving up three hits and striking out nine.

The sixth inning would be the only inning that the Badgers would get to Bittner. Wisconsin’s (14-35) Theresa Boruta would drive in the first run of the inning with a single and eventually steal home, spoiling Bittner’s performance.

“Morgan did a great job,” NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. “She kept hitters off balance and she was hitting her spots. She had a good day.”

But the Huskies’ (15-34) offense couldn’t follow Bittner’s lead as they only mustered three hits on the night.

“Clearly the offense struggled. We didn’t get good barrel on one ball today. It’s hard to win a game when one through nine can’t find a way to hit the ball hard,” Chouinard said.

The Huskies threatened in the third, loading the bases with Jenna Roberts, Andrea Colosimo and Michelle Williams, but Emily Gooding struck out to end the frame.

NIU has given Big Ten opponents a run for their money this year. It was just last week that NIU went into Evanston to play 10th ranked Northwestern and lost 6-4.

“The girls are getting along well. We’re playing good ball,” Chouinard said. “Hopefully one of these times the score comes out different.”

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