Baseball (7-20, 3-3 MAC) will be back home again this week, facing off in another conference matchup as they start a three-game series against Central Michigan University (6-23, 1-2 MAC) on Friday.

The Huskies are coming off a 6-1 win against Miami University last weekend after being shut out in the first two games of the series. They scored five runs in the sixth inning of the final game on Sunday, helping to give the Huskies their first home win of the season.

Sophomore pitcher Donovin Sims picked up his first career complete game, throwing 68 strikes with six strikeouts. Sims went on to be named MAC West Pitcher of the Week.

“Donovin was just outstanding,” said head coach Mike Kunigonis in the NIU Baseball Podcast on Tuesday. “He’s been settling into that starter role, and it’s a testament to his hard work. Donovin deserved to win MAC Pitcher of the Week and hopefully he can get out and give us another good go this week against Central Michigan.”

Both teams have struggled so far this season, already crossing 20 losses. Conference play becomes crucial now as the second half of the season approaches.

“A lot of our early struggles came from us just testing the water.” Kunigonis added. “We didn’t cannonball into the deep end, and now we have finally dove into the deep end and we believe in our ability and each other that we can win games.”

The Chippewas are coming off a close win against non-conference opponent Saginaw Valley State University on Tuesday (11-15) and plan to carry that momentum into another conference matchup against the Huskies after going 1-2 in their first three conference games.

First pitch will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at Ralph McKinzie Field.