DEKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University baseball team welcomes NAIA opponent Trinity Christian College to Ralph McKinzie Field for a 3 p.m. single game today.

The Huskies are seeking their third win in the last five games as they defeated the visiting University of Illinois-Chicago 10-5 Tuesday afternoon.

NIU connected for a season-high 15 hits, and was led offensively by red shirt sophomore Josh Mutter (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way North), who returned to the lineup to drive in four runs as he went 2 for 3 at the plate with a pair of two-run singles. With the victory, NIU earned the season series as they took two of three from the Flames in improving their overall record to 10-20.

Red shirt freshman Parker Kirkpatrick (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence) earned the win on the mound, as he tossed four solid innings of relief. The hard-throwing right-hander fanned two batters and gave up only two hits while retiring six of the first seven batters he faced as he improved to a perfect 2-0.

Today's game will feature the first of two NAIA squads the Huskies host in the next two weeks at Ralph McKinzie as they take on Robert Morris University April 25. NIU last faced an NAIA opponent in the 2007 season when it hosted St. Xavier University April 17. Trinity Christian is coming off a 22-win season last year. The Trolls reached the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series in the 2016 campaign with a 37-win season.

"TCC is a very solid offensive team," Huskies' head coach Mike Kunigonis said. "So we need to ready to battle."

NIU will send junior RHP William Anderson (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East) to the mound, while the Trolls' starter is yet to be determined. In his last appearance against Western Michigan April 8, Anderson worked one inning and gave up two hits while striking out two batters.

--NIU--