Northern Illinois won its home opener Tuesday afternoon against Illinois-Chicago, 8-6, largely in part to a six run second inning. Northern Illinois tacked on two runs in the fourth inning and hit a walloping 13-for-33 (.393) against UIC.

All things considered, I think it was a successful opening day. A good crowd of students, parents and fans came out to Ralph McKinzie Field to support the Huskie baseball team under the sunny 80 degree sky... In March. In fact, it was actually warmer in DeKalb yesterday (83 degrees) than it was in Phoenix, Ariz. (66 degrees). It was a beautiful thing.

Aside from a good crowd in the stands, there was a good crowd in the press box as well to cover the Huskies. Check out some of the links from yesterday's game and another from Saturday afternoon's win against Southern Illinois, the start of NIU's three-game win streak.

NIUHuskies.com - TIMELY AND CONSISTENT HITTING CARRIES HUSKIES OVER FLAMES

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/032012aaa.html

DAILY CHRONICLE - GLANCY WORKS FOR SAVE

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2012/03/20/glancy-works-for-save/auwciui/?page=1

NORTHERN STAR - BULLPEN HAILS OFFENSE FOR HUSKIES

http://northernstar.info/sports/article_97c4e97c-72f6-11e1-99cf-001a4bcf6878.html

NORTHERN STAR - BASEBALL WINS HOME OPENER

http://northernstar.info/sports/article_0dbddb6e-72f4-11e1-baaa-001a4bcf6878.html

WSIL - SIU BASEBALL BLOWS LATE LEAD

http://www.wsiltv.com/sports/local/SIU-Baseball-Blows-Late-Lead-143077826.html

NIUHuskies.com - NAWROCKI WINS MAC WEST PITCHER OF THE WEEK

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/032012aab.html