Spring break proved to be just what the previously winless NIU baseball team needed, as the Huskies went 5-1 over the week.

NIU (5-11) reeled off five consecutive wins before falling to Saint Louis on Sunday afternoon.

The Huskies ended a weather-induced 10-day layoff on Wednesday with a doubleheader against North Dakota and Saint Louis at the Billiken Sports Center in St. Louis, Mo.

After going the first 10 games of 2011 without a win, the Huskies swept UND and Saint Louis, 4-0 and 7-3, respectively.

Against North Dakota (1-10), NIU starter Jeremy Gonzales went six innings, giving up four hits, while striking out six Fighting Sioux. The NIU bullpen combined to complete the Huskies’ first shutout since March 7, 2009.

With the first win of 2011 under their belt, the Huskies took on Saint Louis (13-6) with Tom Barry on the mound. The left-handed starter kept the Billikens at bay, giving up two runs over 5.2 innings. The NIU offense was paced by a 3-for-4 day by designated hitter Jeff Zimmerman.

The Huskies came into their Thursday matchup with the University of Illinois with a head of steam. NIU starter Zach Oates put together a masterful performance at Rent One Park in Marion, Ill. The senior pitched a three-hit, complete-game shutout against the Illini (4-10). The Huskie offense scored two runs in the sixth and one in the eighth in a 3-0 NIU win.

“The game against Illinois was something that I was looking forward to,” Oates said. “I had never pitched against them before so it was great to get a win against Illinois.”

Following a pitching duel on Thursday afternoon, the Huskies and Illini engaged in a shootout on Friday. NIU edged Illinois 15-14 at Southern Illinois’ Abe Martin Field. Six Huskies finished with multiple hits against Illinois. NIU shortstop Alex Jones led the way for the Huskies, going 4-for-6 on the day.

Looking for their fifth consecutive win on Saturday, the Huskies handed the ball to Tony Manville. The Iowa transfer struck out eight over six innings to help NIU to a 7-5 win over Southern Illinois (4-14).

Sunday proved to be the only rough day for the Huskies, as starting pitcher Gonzales was forced to exit the game in the third inning after giving up four runs. NIU went on to lose to the Billikens 7-1.

“The biggest thing is that we are playing well going into conference play,” said NIU head coach Ed Mathey of Friday’s conference opener against Bowling Green. “That is the part of the schedule that matters and we are starting to see results from the work we have put in.”