CHICAGO, IL – The Northern Illinois University baseball team steps out of Mid-American Conference play to face the University of Illinois-Chicago Tuesday afternoon.

Looking to build on its momentum after a 9-5 victory over visiting Central Michigan University Sunday, the Huskies are seeking revenge against the Flames after an earlier setback in March at Curtis Granderson Stadium.

"We're looking forward to getting back in the series with UIC," Huskies' head coach Mike Kunigonis said. "This is a good opportunity to carry our momentum into tomorrow's midweek and then into the MAC weekend."

Tuesday's matchup will be the 55th meeting between the programs, and is part of a three-game series spread over a five-week span. The final matchup will take place at Ralph McKinzie Field April 10.

NIU rebounded in a big way against the Chippewas Sunday. After falling in the first two games of the weekend series with CMU, the Huskies pounded out nine hits and scored single runs in the first, second and seventh innings, all while putting the game out of reach with a six-run fifth inning highlighted by a three-run double from redshirt junior Ty Jandrowski (Kenosha, Wis./Madison College). Senior Scooter Bynum (Fairbanks, Alaska /Arizona Western College) also connected for a two-run single in the frame, and Jake Dunham (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) drew a bases-loaded walk as part of the outburst.

In the last four games, Huskie hitters have connected for four extra base hits and are hitting nearly .300 with runners in scoring position. NIU has also taken advantage of left-handed pitchers as the Huskies have connected for nine hits in 26 at-bats for a .346 average. Senior Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence) leads the offense over NIU's four-game span with a .375 average, a double and a .438 slugging percentage. Bynum meanwhile has swiped two bases in three attempts. Redshirt junior Hunter Bross (Scottsdale, Ariz./Mesa Community College) has also been hot at the plate as he's carrying an .833 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage.

NIU will send sophomore right-hander Blake Walker (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) to the mound for his second start of the season as he will oppose left-hander Braeden Toikka for UIC. In his last outing at Notre Dame, Walker fanned five batters in only three innings of work and shut down Fighting Irish hitters with a .111 batting average in lowering his season ERA to 1.50.

--NIU--