DEKALB, IL – Illinois State's three-run seventh inning spoiled the Northern Illinois University baseball team's chance at a fourth-straight home victory as the Redbirds escaped with a 7-6, seven-inning rain-shortened game at Ralph McKinzie Field Wednesday afternoon.

Both teams were set to take the field for the eighth inning, but weather conditions quickly changed the decision and the Huskies were left with only their second loss in the last nine games at home as they moved to 16-29 overall.

"Disappointing end to a shortened game but it is what it is," Huskies' head coach Mike Kunigonis said. "Both teams knew we were fighting to get as much of a game in as we could before the threat came in. Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of it."

The contest was initially halted in the bottom of the first inning after a lightning delay that lasted about 35 minutes. From there ISU pulled ahead 2-0 in the second before NIU responded with three runs in the third and three in the fourth for a 6-4 advantage.

RBI singles from Samuel Vega (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Southwestern Junior College) and Jake Dunham (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) put NIU in front 3-2 in the third, and Tommy Szczasny (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way North) drove in a pair of runs when he reached on an error by the second baseman in the fourth. But Illinois State countered with a solo home run, followed by a run scored on an error and a sacrifice fly RBI to recapture the lead in the seventh.

Senior RHP Donovin Sims (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah Community) started the game for the Huskies and scattered six hits while giving up four runs over four innings of work. Parker Kirkpatrick (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence) suffered the hard-luck loss out of the bullpen as he worked two innings and gave up three runs on two hits.

Joe Jumonville (Munster, Ind./Munster) led the Huskies' offense as he was a perfect 2 for 2 at the plate with a run scored. Dunham also drove in two runs.

"We battled in a tight back and forth game, but just made too many mistakes to overcome today," Kunigonis said. "We need to learn from this game and be ready to go for the weekend."

NIU returns to action for its final Mid-American Conference series at home as it hosts the University of Toledo Friday-Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. May 4. Junior RHP Tanner Foster (St. Charles, Iowa/Southeastern Community College) will take the mound in Game 1.  

--NIU--