April 12, 2016
Final Stats
NIU 5, UIC 2 
CHICAGO - The NIU baseball team (10-22) started hot at Curtis Granderson Stadium Tuesday night at UIC (13-18), scoring four runs in the first and an insurance run in the third, leaving the pitching staff breathing room as it defeated the Flames, 5-2.
NIU earned a season-high nine walks and totaled four hits in the game, including a two-run home run by Stephen Letz (Dyer, Ind./South Suburban College) and an RBI single by Brandon Mallder (Bridgeview, Ill./St. Laurence). Letz and Mallder each drove in two runs, providing offense for Joe Hawks (Johnston, Iowa/Iowa Central College) who tossed 4.1 innings to pick up his second win.
“That was a good win tonight and our first midweek win of the year against crosstown rival UIC. It’s nice to continue feeling good heading into our series at Western Michigan. (Joe) Hawks gave us a great start and had a great outing, his second in a row. We need to continue our momentum and continue playing good, solid Huskieball,” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis.
The Huskies scratched across four runs in the first inning, started by a Tommy Hook (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) walk with one out. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, the first baseman went to third on a failed pick off and scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Fletcher (Pekin, Ill./Illinois Central College) to give NIU the 1-0 lead.
With two men down, Brian Sisler (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) drew a walk and scored from first on a single by Mallder. Letz followed up with his third homer of the season as he drove a 1-0 line drive into the bullpen in left field to score NIU’s third and fourth runs.
Northern Illinois University struck again in the third inning as it earned four-straight walks to lead off the frame with Mallder at the plate, earning his second RBI of the game, advancing the lead, 5-0.
With the Huskies providing run support, Hawks remained strong on the mound as he held the Flames hitless for the first 3.2 innings. The junior held UIC scoreless for the first four innings, allowing two leadoff singles in the fifth, closing the night after 4.1 innings before making way for Jon Savarise (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson).
UIC scored its first run of the night in the fifth, pushing the run across on a fielder’s choice after a wild pitch advanced both runners on base in scoring position.
The NIU bullpen held strong as it only allowed one walk and scattered four hits in the game, allowing UIC to score only one run in the ball game on an RBI single by David Cronin.
Savarise led all NIU relievers with 2.2 innings of work while Joey Ceja (Ottawa, Ill./Heartland CC) and Ryne Blanton (Spring Grove, Ill./Madison College) each tossed one hitless inning. Blanton improved to 5-for-5 in save opportunities this season.
Northern Illinois University will return to action Friday afternoon, resuming Mid-American Conference play at Western Michigan for a three game series.
