An opportunistic NIU baseball team improved to 5-1 on its nine-game home stand.

NIU exploded for seven runs on just three hits in the first inning of its 11-8 win Tuesday over Illinois State.

The Huskies ran out to a 10-0 lead, then held off a late inning ISU rally.

“We took advantage of the opportunities that were presented to us,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “In the first inning, we made the most of our three hits.”

Freshman shortstop Bobby Stevens capped the scoring in the first inning with a towering three-run homer to make the score 7-0.

Stevens struggled early in the season as a lead off man, but has started to put the ball in play lately since being moved to the nine hole in the lineup.

“It feels good to finally get that first one,” Stevens said. “I’m starting to come around now, feel more comfortable. I’m starting to trust myself at the plate a lot more than earlier in the season.”

The Chicago native entered the game with a batting average of .191 but had his coming out party against ISU with two runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases. Stevens leads NIU (12-14) with 11 steals.

“Bobby can run the bases and play defense,” Mathey said. “It was good to see him get his hands through the ball. We think he is going to be a five-tool player.”

Starting pitcher Matt Jernstad improved to 2-0 with a five-inning performance. The sophomore from Oswego scattered five hits and struck out three. Jernstad said the NIU defense has made being a pitcher a lot easier.

“The pitching staff loves these guys behind us,” Jernstad said. “It’s great to know you have that kind of support behind you.”

ISU got on the board with a three-run fourth inning. A two-run homer by senior lead-off man Jay Molina made the score 11-5.

A scoreless eighth inning seemed to signal the end for ISU but a three-run ninth that ended with the tying run at the plate made NIU sweat out its seventh win in the last nine games.

“The chaser seems to always have the urgency,” Mathey said. “Give ISU credit they knew on a day like today they could get back into the game.”

NIU heads to Normal for a rematch with ISU (8-17) April 11.