Final Stats

DeKALB - NIU improved to 2-0 Saturday afternoon at the Governors Challenge as it defeated Niagara (0-2) on the strength of five extra base hits and patience at the plate, 15-5. Shortstop Brian Sisler (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) finished 5-for-5 with three doubles, three runs, six RBI and one hit by pitch to safely reach base in all six plate appearances.

The Huskies scored multiple runs in four innings tonight - accounting for five in the first, three in the second, two in the fourth and four in the seventh. NIU finished the game with 10 hits and 12 walks in the contest.

Starting pitcher Joe Ceja (Ottawa, Ill./Heartland CC) picked up his first win in his first career start as a Huskie, tossing 3.2 innings while striking out four and walking four in the contest. Dirk Ormsby (Ligonier, Ind./Kellogg CC) threw a career-high 4.1 innings, surrendering two hits with five strikeouts and only one walk.

"Our team battled some tough conditions tonight with the weather and grinded through with a great team win. Our pitchers did a great job on the mound, competing every pitch to give our team a great chance to win," said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis. "Offensively I was happy with the way we battled and fought through the conditions. Once again, we grinded and it showed up on the scoreboard."

The NIU offense went to work quickly against the Purple Eagles as the first six batters reached base, led by Sisler's double down the right field line to score two runs. After scoring four runs on Niagara's starting pitcher Liam Stroud, Daniel Procopio entered the game and allowed one more run to cross the plate in the inning.

The Huskies tagged Procopio for three runs in the bottom of the second as it batted through the order for the second-straight frame. Freshman Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Bonaventure) recorded the first RBI of his career in the inning, hitting a triple to right center field.

Ormsby stepped onto the mound for Ceja with two men down and two men on in the fourth and gave up an RBI single to start the game. After forcing a ground out on the next at-bat, the senior only allowed two more baserunners in his next four innings of work.

The Huskies final big inning, a four run seventh, occurred on two hit by pitches, a walk, one error and one hit as Sisler again registered a two-run double. Justin Fletcher (Pekin, Ill./Illinois Central) recorded the innings other RBI with a fielder's choice to left shallow left field.

Fletcher finished the game with three runs as he went 1-for-5 from the plate. Wood joined Sisler as the only other Huskie with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and an RBI. With no recorded at-bats, Alex Smith (Mahomet, Ill./Parkland College) scored two runs on one walk and two hit by pitches.

NIU will close the Governors Challenge tomorrow afternoon as it takes on host Austin Peay. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. Central. NIU lefty Ryan Olson (Sterling, Ill./Newman Central Catholic) will face sophomore Alex Robles on the mound.

GAME NOTES:
NIU's 12 walks at the plate were the most since recording 14 against Chicago State on March 29, 2011 ... The Huskies 15 runs were the most since last season's Mid-American Conference opener against Buffalo, when NIU defeated the Bulls, 15-9 ... The pitching staff's 10 strikeouts were the most since April 12, 2013 at Eastern Michigan (11).

BREAKING DOWN SISLER'S NIGHT
Brian Sisler's put up big numbers at the plate tonight, recording a lot of feats that had not been accomplished in a few seasons at NIU. Below is a list of Sisler's feats and the last time each was accomplished.

Five hits...
Last time: Joe Buonavolanto vs Eastern Michigan, May 10, 2010

Six RBI...
Last time: Jeff Zimmerman at UIC, May 2, 2012

Three doubles...
Last time: Troy White at Miami (Ohio), April 9, 2011