Final Stats

UE 11, NIU 10 (10) 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - NIU battled back from six-run deficit Saturday at Evansville (5-4) as it scored seven runs in the sixth and seventh and built a three-run cushion in the ninth. However, a rally by the Purple Aces forced extras - where both teams would score - as the Huskies (1-9) fell to Evansville, 11-10.

“It was a tough day for the Huskies. We battled and played hard all day and we never gave up. I believe in this group of guys and I know how much they care, and how much work they put in on a daily basis. That’s what makes losses like this hurt even more. We need to keep battling and grind out a win tomorrow. We’ll be ready to bounce back,” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis.

Tommy Hook (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) led the Huskies with three hits and three RBI in the game while Luke Yapp (Verona, Wis./Madison College) continued his strong series with a double and three RBI. On the mound, Ryne Blanton (Spring Grove, Ill./Madison College) tossed 3.1 shutout innings in relief, allowing only one hit while fanning two batters.

The Purples Aces went on the board first as they scored three in the bottom of the third inning. Freshman William Anderson (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East), who tossed the first 4.2 innings for the Huskies, surrendered four earned runs in the effort as Evansville scored two unearned runs in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead.

In the next half inning, Northern Illinois University got on the board as NIU loaded the bases with one out and forced Evansville to call to its bullpen. After Hook walked to put three runners on the base path, Joe Jumonville (Munster, Ind./Munster) drove the first pitch of his at-bat to centerfield, sacrificing himself to put NIU on the board, 6-1.

With the bases loaded again and two men down, Yapp cleared the bases as he drove the ninth pitch to left field to put the Huskies within two.

After Blanton recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth, NIU took the lead in the seventh, 7-6, as it loaded the bases for Hook, who singled through the right side to score Brian Sisler (Dekalb, Ill./Dekalb), Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence) and Johnny Zubek (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest).

Northern Illinois University took a three-run lead in the ninth as pinch-hitter Jason Gasser singled to right field to give NIU a 9-6 edge. Evansville would tie it up in the bottom of the frame with three extra base hits to force extras, 9-9.

The Huskies leadoff batter, Sisler, reached base via error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Zubek. Down in the count 1-2, Hook singled to centerfield to score Sisler and put the heat on the Purple Aces, 10-9. EU answered the call however as it scored on a wild pitch and won the game drawing a two-out, bases loaded walk, 11-10.

NIU and Evansville will close the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. Senior Ryan Olson will take the mound for the Huskies.