While there may be a shortage of jobs in Michigan, there was no shortage of runs this weekend as NIU traveled to Central Michigan.

The Huskies’ bats were alive in game one and two, beating the Chippewas 16-3 and 11-5 respectively. CMU, however, prevented the sweep by beating NIU 22-4 in the Sunday finale.

NIU (17-29 overall, 8-12 MAC) started the weekend series on Friday with a triple by Alex Jones. The leadoff hit lead to the first of six first inning runs for the Huskies, who never let CMU back into the game.

“We did a good job of getting on base, moving guys along and keeping guys on base,” said NIU head coach Ed Mathey. “When you do that, you give guys a chance to get RBIs.”

Although NIU scored 11 runs in game two, the contest was close at one point.

CMU (21-25, 9-12) scored three runs in the forth, giving it a 5-4 lead over NIU. The Huskies, however, rallied back, scoring two runs in the fifth and sixth inning. NIU’s bullpen was also crucial in the win, as it provided four scoreless innings.

The Huskies were unable to produce the sweep however, as the Chippewas put up 22 runs over the Huskies in the finale. CMU scored 12 of these runs in the fourth inning. In that frame, the Chippewas had 10 hits, three walks and two errors.

“We just couldn’t put a stop to it that inning,” Mathey said. “We put a lot of pitches over the plate and I give Central Michigan credit. They hit it where it was pitched. They did a good job and hit the baseball well today. It was just a bad day for us.”

NIU will be back in action this weekend in its final home series of the year, as it takes on Ball State. Friday’s game will be at 3:05 p.m., with first pitch for Saturday and Sunday’s games set at 1:05 p.m.