NORMAN, Okla. – The NIU baseball team dropped their second game of the 19 Ways Invitational to the Host Oklahoma Sooners by a score of 10-3 on Saturday.
 
The Huskie offense put up three runs on six hits, led by shortstop Samuel Vega and designated hitter Jesus Tovar who had two hits each. One of Vega's hits was a two-RBI single to center with the bases load in the top of the fifth to make the score 4-2.
 
NIU starting pitcher Joe Hawks struggled as he went three innings gaving up four runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts. George Faue was first out of the bullpen and put up similar numbers to Hawks, giving up five runs, four earned, on six hits with two strikeouts.
 
Junior Joe Jumonville got the start behind the plate Saturday afternoon and added a single and center fielder Roderick Bynum also singled up the middle. 15 NIU hitters had plate appearances on Saturday afternoon and four pitchers pitched at least an inning as freshmen Blake Walker and Alec Barger each made their first collegiate pitching appearances against the Sooners.
 
"Not the outcome we wanted but we saw some good things today," Head Coach Mike Kunigonis said. "We battled and saw some young guys do some good things."
 
The Huskies will play the early game in Norman tomorrow as they will take on the Villanova Wildcats at 9:00 a.m. CT. Huskie fans can follow the team on Instagram @niu_baseball and on Twitter @NIU_Baseball.