The No. 7 Northern Illinois softball team dispatched No. 2 Ball State for the second time in the Mid-American Conference tournament, 4-3, but lost the championship game to No. 1 Ohio, 2-0.

The Bobcats beat the Huskies (24-32), on Friday, as well.

“They fought throughout this entire tournament,” coach Christina Sutcliffe said. “I think they made it farther than anybody but Huskie fans thought they could. This team has a lot of heart, and I have said that all year long.”

Ohio (38-15, 20-3) did all its damage in the second inning on a two-run home run by right fielder Michaela Dorsey.

Against Ball State, the Huskies raced out to a 3-0 lead before the Cardinals even came up to bat, scoring all three runs with two outs.

PREP SOFTBALL

Sycamore falls at Hampshire: The Spartans lost, 9-8, in eight innings, falling to 17-11.

Amanda Swedberg, Ally Polly, Gracyn Gabriel and Faith Reynolds each had two hits, while Haley Trela hit a home run.