CHARLESTON, S.C. -- East Carolina University's softball team fell to Northern Illinois, 5-2, in the Lady Pirates' first action in the Cougar Invitational on Saturday morning. The tournament, hosted by the College of Charleston, has had its schedule scrambled after rain forced the postponement of most of Friday's games.

ECU was scheduled to play Toledo in a late game Sunday night, and return to the field at Jones Recreation Center for a single game on Sunday morning (10 a.m.) against Jacksonville.

On Saturday morning, NIU's Amy Krahula held ECU batters to just four hits as the Huskies improved to 7-2. The Lady Pirates led, 2-1, through three innings, but Northern Illinois rallied for two runs in the fourth and two in the sixth.

NIU's Kelly Redican led all batters with three hits. ECU catcher Krista Jessup led the Lady Pirates with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, while right fielder Chrystal Carter had an RBI double.

Freshman pitcher Brently Bridgeport was charged with the loss after allowing five bases on balls and one run through 1.2 innings.

ECU is now 10-7 on the season.