Junior Abby Stoner hits a two-run home run, pitcher Allyson Kus picks up her 12th win of the season

DEKALB, Ill.- The Western Michigan softball rallied from a 3-0 deficit, scoring two runs in the each of the final two innings to pull off a 4-3 victory at Northern Illinois Friday.

The win moved Western Michigan ahead of the Huskies and into first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings. The Broncos' record now stands at 8-3 in conference play and 17-18 overall.

The Huskies opened a 3-0 lead scoring two runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the third inning and adding a run in the bottom of the fourth.

Junior Abby Stoner gave Western Michigan life in the bottom of the sixth, going deep to left field with two outs for a two-run home run. It was Stoner's seventh long ball of the season and her third straight game with a home run. Kelsea Cichocki was on base after reaching on a single.

Western Michigan would also score both of its runs in the seventh with two outs. A fielder's choice by Ivy Schaaf and a walk by Melissa Palmer gave WMU runners on first and second. Senior Sabrina Gamboa hit a hard ball to the left side of the infield and the Huskie defense proceeded to commit a pair of errors.

As Schaaf moved from second to third, NIU shortstop Kali Kossakowski mishandled the ball and Schaaf turned the corner at third to head home. NIU second baseman  Bekah Harnish attempted to throw Schaaf out at the plate but the throw was wild, allowing both Schaaf and Palmer to come across safely for the game-tying and go-ahead runs.

Western Michigan senior pitcher Allyson Kus retired the Huskies in order in the bottom of the seventh with a strikeout and a pair of ground balls to end the game.

Kus (12-9 record) threw her 14th complete game, struck out three and allowed just one earned run. Kus is a perfect 6-0 over her last six starts and has a 1.14 ERA in that span. The Broncos have a 7-2 record over their last nine games.

WMU had seven hits against NIU (27-12, 8-4 MAC). Palmer and junior Erin Binkowksi each went 2-for-3.

Friday's game was a first of a three-game series between NIU and WMU. The two teams square off tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. ET.