After winning four of its last seven games, baseball (6-18, 2-1 MAC) took a tough 12-3 loss to the University of Iowa on Tuesday, highlighted by an eight-run sixth inning by Iowa.

NIU opened the game on a positive note, tallying three hits and a run in the top of the first inning. Junior infielder Brandon Mallder drove in the run on a single to right field, but the Huskies left two runners on base to end the inning.

Iowa took a 2-1 lead after a two-hit, two-run second inning thanks to a home run from freshman outfielder Robert Neustrom. The Hawkeyes led 4-1 through five innings.

The Huskies fell apart in the sixth inning, allowing Iowa to explode for an eight-run inning. More impressive about the Hawkeyes’ high-scoring period is that they did it on just two hits. They were able to do so due to three walks, two errors and a grand slam from senior first baseman Tyler Peyton. Iowa left no runners on base, giving them a 12-1 lead heading into the seventh.

NIU fought back in the ninth inning with two runs, but its efforts fell short and the lead proved to be insurmountable. Redshirt junior pitcher Josh Martsching picked up the win for the Hawkeyes, giving him his first win of the season. Senior pitcher Joey Ceja took the loss for the Huskies, giving up three runs in three innings and keeping him winless for the year at 0-3. Senior infielder Justin Fletcher and senior outfielder Alex Smith led NIU with two hits apiece. Mallder, sophomore catcher Joe Jumonville and junior infielder Carl Russell all drove in one run.

“Today was an opportunity to get better, and as a whole, we did not seize the opportunity,” said NIU head coach Mike Kunigonis, according to an NIU Athletics news release. “We did however have some individuals that took advantage of it and I was happy to see that. We need to put this game behind us and get ready for home opener this weekend against a very good Miami team.”

NIU still ranks third in the MAC West despite being 12 games under .500. The team’s 2-1 start in the conference has allowed the team to remain in the conference race.

The Huskies will have an opportunity to get back on track this weekend as they resume conference play against Miami University. The teams will play a three-game series starting at 3 p.m. Friday at Ralph McKinzie Field.