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DEKALB - The Loyola University Chicago softball team dropped game one of Wednesday's doubleheader at Northern Illinois, falling to the Huskies, 3-1. The Ramblers outhit the Huskies six to five and were led by Jessica Balzano, who racked up three of the team's hits while adding an RBI.

After two scoreless innings, the Ramblers struck first in the top of the third, as Brooke Wyderski singled to right center before a Jessica Balzano double brought her home to give Loyola a 1-0 lead. However, Northern Illinois responded at the bottom of the frame and scored two runs on two singles and a walk to take a 2-1 lead.

The Huskies scored again in the bottom of the fourth, as a leadoff single and a stolen base led to an RBI single to increase the lead to 3-1. The Ramblers recorded a hit in each of the next two innings, but went down one-two-three in the top of the seventh to give Northern Illinois the 3-1 victory.