Final Stats

DeKALB - A walkoff fielder's choice in the bottom of the 10th of game one and a slugfest in the second highlighted NIU baseball's (17-26, 7-11 MAC) doubleheader sweep Sunday afternoon as the Huskies defeated Eastern Michigan (17-26, 7-11 MAC) on ALS Awareness Day, 4-3, 12-3.

Catcher Johnny Zubek (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) finished 4-for-8 with two homeruns, five runs, three RBI and reached base six times in 10 plate appearances on the day. Jason Gasser (Dyer, Ind./Mt. Carmel) drove in the walkoff run in game one and was 3-for-5 with a homer, a double and three RBI in game two. Andrew Frankenreider (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap) and Seth Fuller (Moline, Ill./Black Hawk College) picked up wins in games one and two, respectively.

The doubleheader sweep by NIU was its first since the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play when the Huskies clinched the series over Buffalo on March 21.

"Today was a great team effort. We pitched, hit and played defense very well," said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis. "Our pitching staff did a great job of giving us a chance to win two. I haven't seen this type of team effort from our guys in a while. If we can continue to this type of play the rest of the season, this team will give itself a chance to play for a championship.

"Thank you to all the Huskie faithful that came out today to support ALS Awareness Day," added Kunigonis.

The Huskies will return to action Tuesday night when it takes on UIC at Curtis Granderson Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Central.

GAME ONE
Both the Huskies and the Eagles scored two runs in the third inning as Malique Ziegler (Des Moines, Iowa/Des Moines East) reached base and took second on a throwing error at shortstop to lead the frame. After Ziegler stole third with one out, Zubek sent a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall to tie the game, 2-2.

After starter Dirk Ormsby (Ligonier, Ind./Kellogg CC) kept EMU scoreless in the middle innings, NIU would take its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth as Brian Sisler's (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) hit a leadoff double down the left field line.

The junior, who made his first career start at third base, advanced to third on a wild pitch to Micah McCulloch (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle Township) and scored on the ensuing grounder by McCulloch to take a 3-2 lead.

Ormsby would finish his day with 7.2 innings of work, striking out (four looking) with five total in the contest, including the first three batters of the day. The senior only allowed five hits and two earned runs in the contest. He also had three assists and one putout in the field.

Eastern Michigan tied the game in the top of the ninth on a pair of fielding errors, 3-3, however, Frankenreider would get the Huskies out of the jam to limit EMU to one run. The sophomore would retire the side in order in the top of the 10th inning, getting momentum back on NIU's side.

Justin Fletcher (Pekin, Ill./Illinois Central College) led the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Zubek, who would reach base safely on error by the catcher. After the two runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, Sisler was intentionally walked to load the bases with zero outs.

Gasser would then slap a 2-0 pitch to EMU second baseman John Rubino, who fielded the ball cleanly and threw the ball home to attempt throw Fletcher out at the plate. However, the throw was late as Fletcher slid away from the catcher's tag to give NIU it's first extra inning and walkoff win of the season.

GAME TWO
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Gasser sparked a seven run flame for the Huskies with a leadoff solo homerun to left field. With two men on and the coals burning hot later in the fourth, Gasser stroked a two-RBI double off the wall in right centerfield to put the Huskies on top, 9-1.

Including Gasser's two hits, NIU totaled five hits in the fourth inning, taking advantage of four walks and a wild pitch to bring seven of the 11 Huskies who batted in the inning around to score.

McCulloch and Joe Jumonville (Munster, Ind./Munster) both drove in two runs on singles in the frame, giving the team three different players with multiple-RBI in an inning. Gasser was the only player to record multiple hits in the inning.

Fuller would toss a season-best 8.0 innings on the mound, totaling 104 pitches (65 strikes), striking out three batters and allowing only one earned run in the effort. The junior, who improved to 3-3 on the season, scattered eight hits and allowed one walk as well in the contest.

NIU would plate singles across the scoreboard in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, amassing 12 runs in the effort to build a 10-run lead entering the ninth frame. Zubek hit his second homer of the day in the seventh as he hit the first pitch of the inning off of new pitcher Kyle Huckaby over the left field fence.

All nine starters reached base in the game while six of the nine Huskie accounted for RBI in the effort.