After suffering through a 0-for-13 slump last weekend at Miami-Ohio, Pat Minogue was just looking to keep hitting ground balls and getting on base.

So when the starting center fielder hit a deep home run to left field in the third inning, Minogue claimed after the game that it was “more of an accident.”

The Huskies (17-19) used Minogue’s long ball and a strong outing from starter Matt Jernstad to shutdown the Chicago State (4-25) bats en route to a 5-1 victory Wednesday at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Minogue showcased his sudden power on his first at-bat with a drive to left field that should have left the yard but was knocked down by the wind at the warning track for an out. But Minogue’s second at-bat was a no-doubter to almost the exact same part of the field.

“I hit the ball pretty hard and it got out, which was good for the team,” Minogue said. “But I’m just trying to get on base. Home runs are great, but I’m more of a line drive guy.”

The Huskies scored first in the second inning on an RBI triple by left fielder Jeff Thomas, who added an RBI double in the fourth inning as well. Minogue’s solo blast, shortstop Bobby Stevens’ RBI groundout and second baseman Marc Besteman’s RBI walk accounted for the Huskies’ five runs.

Five runs were all Jernstad needed. The lefty sophomore threw 7.1 innings, struck out five and gave up one earned run. He improves his record to 3-0 on the season.

“Matt Jernstad did a really nice job, especially after last week’s performance which wasn’t up to his standard,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “He established the low strikes, he moved the ball around the plate. I think our defensive did a nice job [behind him].”

Mathey wasn’t as complimentary of his team’s offense and base running, as many players swung at pitches early in the count.

“I think we need to be more selective in hitters’ counts and more patient at the plate,” Mathey said. “We did not show that today and that’s a concern. We can’t afford to do that when Central Michigan comes in here.”