Kansas University senior Ashley Newman puts down a bunt in the Jayhawks' softball meeting with Northern Illinois on Friday, March 14, 2014, at Arrocha Ballpark.

Senior Nikki Bruce’s two-run double in the second inning ignited Kansas University’s offense, and KU opened the Jayhawk Invitational with a 10-0 win over Northern Illinois on Friday at Arrocha Ballpark.

Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Kessler (11-5) limited the Huskies to one hit in four innings. She retired the first nine batters, striking out the side in the third inning. Kessler struck out six and stretched her scoreless innings streak to 231?3.

Bruce went 2-for-2 with three RBIs as the Jayhawks improved to 18-7.

Junior Beth Wilson pitched a scoreless fifth inning, and KU recorded its third straight shutout.

The Jayhawks will play Jackson State at 10:30 a.m. today. Because of possible poor weather conditions on Sunday, KU’s game against No. 14 Nebraska has been moved up to 6 p.m. today.

Northern Illinois 000 00 — 0 2 0

Kansas 032 5x — 10 10 0

W — Kelsey Kessler, 11-5. L — Allyson Hecht, 2-1.

2B — Taylor Hatfield, Chanin Naudin, Nikki Bruce, KU.

Kansas highlights — Hatfield 2-for-3, 3 R; Bruce 2-for-2, R, 3 RBIs; Naudin 1-for-1, 2 R, 2 RBIs; Kessler 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K.