Geneva, Ill. | An old baseball saying goes: Good pitching wins championships.

NIU didn’t win a championship last night, but pitching fueled the Huskies to a 4-3 win over the University of Illinois-Chicago.

NIU pitcher Matt Jernstad gave 7 1/3 strong innings for the Huskies. The southpaw allowed two runs while scattering four hits, and found himself in trouble only twice for NIU (17-19).

“This is what we envisioned when we penciled him in,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “He established the zone early and did a great job with three pitches.”

Jernstad did find trouble twice in the game. The first time came in the top of the fifth. The Flames (22-16) managed to score two runs on first baseman Tony Altavilla’s double down the right field line, and shortstop Rafael Garcia’s sacrifice fly during the inning.

Jernstad also found himself in trouble in the sixth inning. The senior walked the lead-off man. After a sacrifice bunt to move the runner, the pitcher hit left-fielder Jake Carr. Jernstad then walked the fourth hitter, Brett Schaefer, to load the bases with one out.

Jernstad looked to be laboring on the mound, but was able to induce a ground ball to NIU shortstop Bobby Stevens. Stevens quickly fired the ball to second baseman Marvin Sanchez, who smoothly flipped the ball over to first for a double play.

“My defense is always important, because I’m not going to strike a lot of guys out,” Jernstad said. “It was a great turn by [Sanchez].”

Bullpen specialist Dan Atkenson relieved Jernstad, surrendering one unearned run in 1 1/3 innings. After two consecutive errors by Stevens in the ninth inning, Andy Deain relieved Atkenson.

The right-hander got UIC second baseman Andy Leonard to dribble out to second base and end the game. The save gives Deain three on the season.

The Huskies did most of their offensive damage in the first. Third baseman Jordin Hood hit a two-out RBI single, plating Huskies left fielder Jeff Thomas. Designated hitter Justin Behm followed with a two-run blast to center field.

“The pitch was a change up,” Behm said. “I was able to keep my hands back and put a good swing on it.”

The winning run for the Huskies scored after pinch hitter Nick Badgley singled. He eventually scored on a wild pitch from Flames pitcher Adam Worthington.

NIU takes on Illinois State University today at 3:30 p.m. at Ralph McKinzie Field in DeKalb. Dave Reynolds will take the mound for the Huskies. The pitcher goes into the start 4-0 with a 4.05 ERA.