April 29, 2006

Box Score

YPSILANTI, MI - Northern Illinois took an early lead in its first at-bat, but was unable to withstand a charge by Eastern Michigan in a 7-3 loss Saturday evening. The Huskies fall to 21-22, 8-9 in the MAC while the Eagles are now 24-17, 11-6.

The Huskies jumped out to an early lead by scoring twice in the first inning. Jeff Thomas (Loves Park/Harlem) delivered a two-run single that plated Scott Simon (Algonquin/Marian Central Catholic) and Brian Toner (Alsip/Kishwaukee), both of whom reached base on walks, to stake NIU to a 2-0 advantage.

EMU wasted no time in answering, tallying two runs of their own in the bottom of the first on Jeff Hehr's two-run home run to left field that evened the game at two. In the second, Trumaine Riley crossed home on a throwing error to put the Eagles up 3-2.

NIU knotted the game at three in the top of the third inning. Pat Minogue (Crystal Lake/Central) led off the frame with a single, advanced to second when Simon was hit by pitch, and moved over to third on a wild pitch. Jesse Seykora (Owatonna, MN/North Iowa Area CC) brought in Minogue with a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 3-3.

The home team put together a three-run fourth to take a 6-3 lead behind a two-run double by Hehr and an infield single by Steve Bradshaw. EMU extended its lead to 7-3 in the seventh when Matt Moffett drew a bases-loaded walk that forced in Hehr.

Trevor Feeney (Channahon/Joliet Catholic) took the loss for NIU and is now 3-4 on the year after tossing 3.2 innings while yielding four hits and five earned runs in the start. Brandon Copp (Aurora/West) allowed one earned run and struck out three in 2.2 innings of relief, Andy Deain (Crystal Lake/{Prairie Ridge) fanned two in one scoreless inning of work, and Matt German (Aurora/Marmion Academy) retired both batters faced in the eighth. Will Stewardson (3-1) earned the win for the Eagles going eight innings and allowing five hits and three earned runs before giving way to Sean Hoffman for the final inning.

Sunday's series finale between the Huskies and Eagles is set for 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT at Oestrike Stadium. Live statistics will be available through the baseball schedule page on www.niuhuskies.com.

NOTABLE HUSKIE TRACKS ...

-NIU's home run streak ended at eight games.
-The Huskies are now 13-7 when scoring first, 9-6 when scoring in the first inning.
-Bobby Stevens extended his season-high hitting streak to seven games, dating back to April 21.
-Colin Grant recorded the first MAC hit of his career with a sixth inning single.