DeKALB — The baseball team scored the first run of the game Tuesday against the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but that was the only run it would score in a 12-1 loss in South Bend, Indiana.

The Huskies (4-16) walked 12 Irish batters in their last game before they start the Mid-American Conference season this weekend against the University of Toledo Rockets.

“We need to put this game behind us and have a good day of practice [Wednesday],” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis, according to NIU Media Services.

NIU’s first and only run came in the third inning when senior infielder Carl Russell doubled, then moved to third base on a ground out and eventually scored off a sacrifice fly by junior infielder Samuel Vega.

Russell got the start in right field on Tuesday.

The walks killed the Huskies as they led to two separate five-run innings for the Irish, including in the third inning after the Huskies took the lead.

Freshman pitcher Blake Walker was unable to shut the Irish down after getting an early lead and ended the game with a rough stat line as he was unable to record an out in the third inning while giving up four runs, three of them earned, two hits and five walks.

However, freshman pitcher Jacob Delabio came in and gave the Huskies help as he threw two shutout innings while striking out three batters.

Matt Vierling, Notre Dame’s sophomore center fielder, and sophomore shortstop Cole Daily went 2-for-3 and drove in 3 RBIs each, while senior pitcher Scott Tully gave the Irish three and 2/3 innings before the bullpen took over.

This marked the third consecutive loss for the Huskies and four out of five after losing three out of four to No. 21 University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Friday through Sunday.

The Huskies begin MAC play against Toledo on Friday.

“We open up conference this weekend against a tough foe in Toledo,” Kunigonis said, according to NIU Media Services. “The Rockets are always tough, and we need to be ready for a battle this weekend.”

The time and location for this weekend’s series has changed from the original time to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday’s game was moved to 2 p.m. and Sunday’s game was moved to noon.

All games will now be played at Mercy Field in Toledo, Ohio.