DeKALB | One of the keys to the NIU baseball team winning every MAC series this year has been its ability to win the opening game of the series.

But despite losing Friday’s opener 8-3, the Huskies came back strong, winning the final two games, 4-3 and 8-5, for a series win over MAC East- leading Miami-Ohio at Ralph McKinzie Field.

“I’m really impressed with our resolve,” coach Ed Mathey said. “Miami is a really good ball club and this is a good sign for us.”

Game one featured NIU’s Trevor Feeney pitching against arguably the best pitching prospect in the MAC, Miami’s John Ely. After a scoreless first four innings, NIU got on the board with in the fifth with a Matt Behren RBI single. However, Miami scored five runs in the top of the sixth and never looked back en route to an 8-3 win.

“NIU is a really good hitting team,” said Ely. “I just tried to keep them off balance and never let them get a consistent look.”

The Huskies were able to grind out a 4-3 win in game two on Saturday against another top pitcher in the MAC, Connor Graham. Trailing 3-1, NIU scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead. After a Scott Simon RBI single that scored Jeff Thomas, freshman and reigning MAC West Player of the Week, Jordin Hood, delivered a two out two-run single up the middle to plate Bobby Stevens and Simon. Closer Matt German came on and pitched an inning and a third to earn his school record 20th save.

“I was anxious to see how our guys responded to losing the first game of a MAC series since that had not happened to us this season,” Mathey said.

The Huskies belted out three home runs, including two by Bobby Stevens, for yet another come-from-behind victory in game three. Miami’s Evan Armitage hit a three-run home run with two outs in the top of the sixth to give Miami a 5-3 lead.

The Huskies answered right back in their half of the frame. After an RBI fly-out that scored Jesse Seykora, Hood delivered a solo home run with two outs to tie the game at six. With runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh, Stevens laced an inside fastball over the left field fence for a three-run home run after two previous failed bunt attempts, to give the Huskies an 8-5 lead.

“In the back of my mind I knew if I didn’t get a hit, I would get chewed out on the bench,” Stevens said. “I was fortunate to get one I could handle and it went over.”

German pitched a perfect eighth and ninth inning to earn another save. The Huskies have now won all four of its MAC series’ this year.