An offensive outburst snapped a three-game losing streak for the NIU baseball team Tuesday.

An aggressive NIU team pounded out 14 hits in an 8-7 victory at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“We had great hitting approaches today,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said.

A three-run fifth inning proved to be the decisive frame for NIU. Junior right fielder Brian Toner led off with a single and scored on a double from catcher Justin Behm to give NIU a 5-4 lead.

Senior designated hitter Kyle Pettengell launched a two-run home run over the right field fence to expand the NIU lead to 7-4.

An RBI double in the top of the seventh by second baseman Tim Kamin ran the NIU lead to 8-5 and proved to be a much needed insurance run.

I’m estatic with our guys,” Mathey said. “We did something we’ve addressed all year today, and that is to keep momentum going. After we jumped out to a lead, they scored four, and we answered right back with three runs.”

UWM fired off two runs in its last wraps, but junior closer Matt German left the bases loaded to run the NIU record to 22-23, and pick up his 10th save of the year.

Senior starting pitcher Brandon Hodge (1-2) picked up his first win of the season by going 5.1 innings.

Next up for NIU is a Wednesday night showdown under the lights with Northwestern, the co-leader of the Big Ten. First pitch with NIU is at Elfstrom Stadium at 7:05 in Geneva.

NIU heads to the home of the Kane County Cougars to take on an NU team that won 3-of-4 games at Iowa. Much like NIU, NU (17-24) has an underwhelming overall record thanks to a brutal non-conference schedule.