DeKALB | In Friday’s series opening win over the Zips, the NIU (14-9,5-1) baseball team moved to 4-0 in conference, marking its best MAC start in school history.

NIU’s current 5-1 MAC record is its best since the 2003 season. Plus, the Huskies have won eight of their last ten games, including a six game winning streak, the longest under the tenure of coach Ed Mathey.

To go with that success, NIU’s win in the rubber match on Sunday marked the Huskies first road series win since they took two of three from Ohio last March.

Sunday’s win also moved NIU to 2-0 in extra-inning games with both wins coming against MAC teams.

Pitching with success

After taking two of three from Akron over the weekend, NIU pitchers have combined for a 4.68 ERA so far this season, compared to its opponents’ combined 5.74 ERA.

In his back-to-back complete game performances over MAC teams, Trevor Feeney has allowed only one walk, while striking out eight in 18 innings. Overall, Feeney has struck out 26 batters and walked eight – good enough for a 3.25 to 1 strike-out-to-walk ratio.

Senior Matt German earned his third victory of the season over the weekend, a career high for him. And so far this season, junior Matt Jernstad has allowed just two earned runs in 13 innings of MAC play.

On the up side

In Saturday’s 5-0 loss to Akron, relief pitcher Andy Deain set career highs out of the pen with four innings of work and four strike-outs.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s loss was the first for sophomore Brandon Copp as a starter. Copp wasn’t given any run support as the Huskies were shut out for the first time since losing to Ball State on May 13, 2006 – a span of 27 games.

Moving up the board

Sophomore Bobby Stevens stole his 11th base of the season on Saturday and the 28th of his career, moving into 10th place on the NIU career steals list. Danny Reed’s hit streak ended at 15 games, which equals the longest stretch on record.

Over the airwaves

Eight NIU baseball games will be broadcast locally on 1360-AM with the first broadcast coming today versus Illinois State at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Hot streaks

Krista McPherson continued her hot hitting this weekend for the NIU softball team.

The junior collected eight more hits in four games this weekend. Also, senior Ellen Stoddard batted .500 in three games over the weekend.