Feb. 12, 2013

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team swept league player of the week honors as Jennifer Barnett was named Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week and Jessica Sturm garnered MAC West Pitcher of the Week accolades the league announced.

Sturm was stellar in her first action of the season, helping lead the Northern Illinois University softball team to a 3-2 record in its opening weekend. Sturm, who picked up all-tournament team honors at the Getterman Classic, posted a 1-1 record, picked up a save and recorded a 0.00 ERA in four appearances on the weekend. She was brilliant in her first start of the season pitching seven innings of shutout softball, allowing one hit and striking out three. She came in and pitched an inning and two-thirds of relief in NIU's setback to Baylor, keeping the Bears off the bases. Sturm was nearly perfect in the second game of the day with Baylor, allowing one run on two hits and three walks in six innings of work. She pitched two innings in the tournament finale, allowing one hit and striking out two in two innings of work to pick up the save.

Barnett earned Getterman Classic all-tournament team honors after batting .385 to help lead NIU to a 3-2 opening weekend. The Indianapolis native went 5-for-13, including a home run, with two runs batted in, a run scored and was hit by a pitch twice. Barnett played a key role in the Huskies' 4-0 victory over Sam Houston State, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. She belted NIU's first home run of the season, in the second inning of the win over the Bearkats. She went 2-for-4 with an RBI against Sam Houston State in the tournament finale.

The Huskies return to the diamond Feb 22 when the Huskies travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to compete in the FAU "Strike-Out Cancer" Tournament. NIU opens the tournament against North Florida with first pitch set for 8 a.m. CT.