Redemption.

That’s the word that runs through the mind of the NIU baseball team heading into this afternoon’s game against Illinois State.

The Huskies (9-14 overall, 3-3 MAC) and Redbirds (9-13) square off at 2:30 p.m. at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Junior Brandon Copp is scheduled to face ISU’s Quinn Ewert. Copp is 1-3 with an 8.87 ERA heading into his fifth start.

NIU’s pitching held its own over the three-game weekend series, but the team struggled offensively. The team pumped out only 15 hits in the series.

“I thought we threw well enough to win games, but offensively, we weren’t where we needed to be,” NIU head coach Ed Mathey said. “Our hitters are capable. We just needed to get a better approach.”

That different approach includes hitting the ball to all fields and not pulling to just one side, Mathey said.

As a team, the Huskies bat .276, compared to the Redbirds’ .254. Senior Jeff Thomas leads NIU with a .341 average and 18 RBIs. Senior Danny Reed’s 25 RBIs are second in the MAC, which accompanies his .330 average. The outfielder also leads the conference with 11 doubles.

“We need to have more confidence and relax,” Reed said. “It’s about being confident in every at bat. [It’s about] just going up there with the mentality that the pitcher can’t beat you.”

NIU won its last two meetings with the Redbirds, but trails in the overall series 31-28.

Today’s game kicks off a five-game home stand, the longest of the season for the Huskies. NIU is hoping the home field will give it the advantage it needs.

“Past performance indicates more success at home,” Mathey said. “I hope that’s going to continue for us.”