Final Stats

UB 7, NIU 2 

DeKALB - NIU and Buffalo opened their series in a pitchers duel as the teams squared off in a 1-1 affair for the first five innings. However, the Bulls (12-21, 5-8 MAC) broke away from the Huskies (12-25, 7-5 MAC) in the sixth inning to clinch the opener, 7-2.

Brian Sisler (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) and Stephen Letz (Dyer, Ind./South Suburban College) each recorded a hit and two walks in the ballgame. Letz scored the Huskies first run of the game.

“It was a tough day for Huskieball. We need to have a short memory with this one and get back at it tomorrow and fight to get back in the series. I know this group will respond and be ready to go tomorrow,” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis.

Both teams scored in the second inning as the Huskies tied the Bulls after Letz drew a leadoff walk and Tony Brandner (Colgate, Wis./Winthrop) doubled to put two Huskies in scoring position. Johnny Zubek (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) drove in Letz on a groundout to third base to tie the game, 1-1.

Northern Illinois University stranded 11 runners on base in the ballgame, leaving the bases empty after the fourth and sixth innings.

With starting pitchers William Anderson (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East) and Alec Tuohy settling into a rhythm, NIU and Buffalo were unable to break through again on the scoreboard until the Bulls retook the lead in the sixth on a double to the left centerfield gap by Brian Wasilewski with a runner on second, 2-1.

Retiring the first two batters of the inning, Anderson nearly got out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, however, the freshman surrendered four runs in the frame as the Bulls charged to a 6-1 lead.

Northern Illinois University attempted to comeback in the final three innings at the plate, stranding two runners each in the seventh and eighth, before finally breaking through in the ninth.

Pinch-hitter Austin Stout (Yorktown, Ind./Olney Central College) led off with a single and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder fielding the hit. With one out, NIU loaded the bases after Tommy Hook (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) walked and Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence) singled, setting up Stout to score on a passed ball on the first pitch of Brandon Mallder's (Bridgeview, Ill./St. Laurence).

NIU and UB will resume the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. Central.