MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Northern Illinois University baseball team allowed 13 walks on Friday afternoon in an 8-2 loss to the Central Michigan Chippewas at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.

Central Michigan (15-10, 10-1) took advantage of back-to-back walks in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. A Wuestenfeld sacrifice fly that put the Chippewas up 1-0, followed by a steal of home by Jacob Marsee for CMU's second run. The Chippewas had a chance to extend the lead in the bottom of third with runners at second and third and two out but NIU starting pitcher Kyle Seebach (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle Twp.) struck out Robby Morgan to end the threat.

NIU (6-22, 6-9) cut the Central Michigan lead in half in the top of the fourth when Carlos Aranda (Santo Domingo, P.R./Ellsworth CC) led off with a home run over the left field fence, making the score 2-1. Seebach did his part to keep the deficit at one run, retiring the side in both the fourth and fifth innings.

The Chippewas extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth, once again taking advantage of some free passes. Zach Lechnir led off with a walk and stole second. Seebach retired the next two batters, but hit Nick Dardas with a pitch to keep the inning alive. Dardas later advanced to second and Lechnir scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-1. A walk to Mario Camilletti gave Central Michigan runners at the corners. Marsee then delivered a single up the middle, CMU's second hit of the game, to clear the bases and make the score 5-1. The Chippewas loaded the bases on a walk and hit by pitch, scoring their sixth run on a bases loaded walk to Aidan Shepardson.

NIU cut into the Central Michigan lead in the top of the seventh. Eric Erato (Sussex, Wis./Sussex Hamilton) drew a 10-pitch walk with two outs. Scott Combs (Northville, Mich./Michigan State) then reached base on an error. Brandon Johnson (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle Twp.) drove in Erato with a single up the middle to make the score 6-2, getting to second base on an error by Morgan in centerfield that gave the Huskies runners at second and third. Central Michigan starting pitcher Jordan Patty got out of the inning by getting Aaron Harper (Hemet, Calif./Mt. San Jacinto College) to fly out to right field.

"We need to be better and limit our free bases," said head coach Mike Kunigonis. "We battled for a majority of the game but Central Michigan finally broke through and made us pay for our walks allowed."

Aranda had two hits on the day with his fourth home run of the season. Johnson, Andre Demetral (Rochester, Mich./Florence Darling Tech) and Malik Peters (Calumet City, Ill./Mount Carmel) each had a hit as well.

NIU and Central Michigan will play a single game on Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. CT. The two teams will wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 10 starting at 11 a.m. CT.

—NIU—