The Cardinals lost the first game 10-0, with its sole hit coming from sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally.
After another first inning deficit in the second game, the Cardinals fought back to tie the game 4-4 in the seventh inning. Reigning Mid-American Conference West Player of the Week, senior catcher Emily Naegele, hit the game winning home run for Northern Illinois ending the game with a final score of 5-4.
Senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach started both games, after two losses her season record dropped to 13-9.
"She was having trouble finding the zone," said head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett. "It was apparent she was having trouble adjusting so we went to Carolyn Wilmes for relief."
She was pulled after 0.1 innings in the first game having allowed four earned runs on two hits. Sophomore Carolyn Wilmes and senior Kelsey Schifferdecker would combine to finish the game, allowing two and four runs respectively.
NIU freshman pitcher Alex Frenz pitched a complete-game one hit shutout in the first game, receiving the win. She was sent in to finish the second game in the fifth inning, in relief of sophomore pitcher Keegan Hayes, and got her second win of the day.
"Frenz did a very good job on the mound," Bartlett said. "We needed to do a better job adjusting faster and challenging her."
Ball State opens a three game series against Buffalo on Friday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m.
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