DeKALB – After allowing double-digit runs in six consecutive games, NIU baseball pitching allowed just two runs en route to a 4-2 win over the Miami University RedHawks Sunday in Oxford. 

The Huskies (4-15, 1-5 MAC) snapped a seven-game losing streak and avoided a series sweep with the win, ending the RedHawks’ (4-16, 2-4 MAC) two-game winning streak.

PITCHING ON THE MEND

Senior pitcher Brandon McPherson and junior pitcher Jacob Wilde were lights out for NIU. The duo combined to pitch all nine innings, allowing just one earned run in the sixth inning. 

McPherson got the call to start the final game of the weekend series after Huskie pitchers allowed 10 runs in game one and 16 runs in game two against the RedHawks. McPherson gave NIU a strong starting performance, allowing no runs on just two hits and seven strikeouts through his five innings of work. 

Wilde was called to relieve McPherson in the sixth inning with NIU leading 2-0. After allowing a run to come across in the sixth, Wilde settled in and pitched around a leadoff double by RedHawk junior infielder Cooper Weiss in the seventh, then sat Miami down one-two-three in the eighth inning. Wilde tossed four innings of three hit ball, allowing one earned run and striking out four batters. 

Both McPherson and Wilde didn’t shy away from Miami’s hitters, attacking the strike zone and walking none. 

SMALL BALL, BIG RESULTS

The Huskie offense played small-ball to get runs across. Despite nine hits, none of NIU’s runs came from those hits. Errors by Miami and sacrifice plays by the Huskies helped NIU score all four of its runs. 

Senior outfielder Malik Peters contributed two RBI’s (runs batted in) on a single and error and a sacrifice bunt. 

Junior infielder and outfielder Andrew Smart had the other RBI for the Huskies on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.

Junior infielders Andre Demetral, Aaron Harper and Mason Kelley, junior infielder and outfielder Parker Shupe, junior catcher and outfielder Colin Summerhill and senior outfielder Tyler Thierry all recorded hits for the Huskies.

An error by Miami after a Peters single in the first inning allowed a run to come across. The Huskies later scored on Smart’s sacrifice in the sixth inning.

Miami responded with a run in the bottom half of the sixth, but Peters’ sacrifice bunt the next inning restored NIU’s two-run lead at 3-1. 

Smart scored on a passed ball in the ninth inning to give the Huskies a 4-1 cushion. An unearned run for Miami in the bottom half of the ninth made it 4-2, but Wilde induced a groundout to help NIU avoid the series sweep.

HOME SWEET HOME

The Huskies play their first home game after 20 games on the road against Ohio University at 3 p.m. Friday at NIU Ralph McKinzie Field. 

Friday’s game will be the first of a three-game home series for NIU. The remaining games will be at 1 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday. The games will be streamed on NIU all-access and live stats will be available via Sidearm Sports.