Final Stats

NIU 2, Ohio 0 

ATHENS, Ohio - Northern Illinois University won its Mid-American Conference opener Friday as the Huskies (5-16, 1-0 MAC) defeated the reigning MAC Tournament Champions Ohio (9-12, 0-1 MAC) at Bob Wrenn Stadium, 2-0. Freshman William Anderson (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East) improved to 2-1 in his 8.0 innings of work while Ryne Blanton (Spring Grove, Ill./Madison College) earned his second save.

It was the second-straight combined shutout outing for Anderson, who has not surrendered a run in his last 17 innings on the mound. Stephen Letz (Dyer, Ind./South Suburban College) accounted for the game-winning single in the fourth inning, scoring both runs on a diving effort by the right fielder for what would’ve been the final out of the inning.

“If you can’t tell by the box score, this was Friday night baseball. It was a stereotypical Friday night pitcher’s duel. Will was magnificent again, holding them scoreless and moving up to 17-straight scoreless innings which is awesome,” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis. “We also had timely hitting when we needed it and Letz came up clutch for us when we needed him most. We need to carry this momentum and good feeling with us into tomorrow and win a weekend.

Ohio threatened in the third inning with two outs and a runner on first as Mitch Longo recorded the first hit of the game, sending Manny De Jesus to third. Anderson got out of the jam, forcing a pop out to Letz in right field to end the threat.

The Huskies would capitalize on the defensive momentum in the fourth as Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence) was hit by a pitch, followed by a Johnny Zubek (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) single to give NIU its first hit of the game with runners at first and second and no outs.

A fielder’s choice would push Wood to third with two outs in the inning and Letz at the plate. The senior would line a ball to right field to a diving Spencer Ibarra, who was unable to make the grab, allowing Wood and Brandon Mallder (Bridgeview, Ill./St. Laurence) to score and put the Huskies on top, 2-0.

The NIU defense shined behind Anderson the mound as they stabbed the ball on the ground and made four outs on infield line drives, including an unassisted double play by Mallder at first base in the sixth.

Anderson worked 8.0 innings on the bump, scattering four hits and walking two batters while fanning four in the contest. He extended his scoreless inning streak to 17.0 straight frames, the longest by a Huskie this season, as he improved to 2-1 on the year with a 3.39 ERA.

In relief, Blanton picked up where Anderson left off as he worked quickly and let the defense work behind him, popping out two hitters, including a line drive to Brian Sisler (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) for the last out of the game.

The game lasted just 1:49, the fastest game for the program since a 2-0 win versus Akron on May 11, 2014. NIU has won its last two conference openers on the road, defeating Buffalo last year in Westfield, Ind., at Grand Park.

The Huskies and Bobcats will resume the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. Central. Ryan Olson will take the rubber for the Huskies.