If the NIU baseball team could have its way, it would play all of its games against Illinois foes.

The Huskies improved to 10-2 against instate opponents after beating Chicago State (4-30) 14-8 Wednesday at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Led by third baseman Jesse Seykora’s 3-for-3 day, NIU totaled 12 hits and drew a season-high 12 walks to get over the .500 mark for the first time in more than a season and a half. The last time the Huskies had a winning record was at the end of the 2004 season, and for first baseman Scott Simon, it was long overdue.

“It’s a good feeling,” the junior said. “We really haven’t been there since 2004. You don’t want to get under it again. We just gotta keep winning ball games from here on out.”

Chicago State opened the scoring off Huskie starter Brandon Copp in the first inning with a double steal and added another run in the second on a hit-and-run single.

The Huskies struggled the first time through the lineup, but NIU center fielder Pat Minogue tied the game in the third inning with a long two-run homer over the left field scoreboard. A sacrifice fly by right fielder Brian Toner two batters later gave the Huskies a lead they would not relinquish.

“We’re doing a better job with our pitch selection,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “We were a little slow in developing today, but the second time through the lineup, we made good adjustments on the guy, stayed back and drove the ball the other way.”

The Huskie offense added five runs over the next three innings to take an 8-4 lead before breaking the game open in the eighth inning. The NIU offense emptied its bench, drew five walks and only needed two hits to score six runs in the inning.

“I’m just trying to stay more patient, trying to stay back,” said Seykora, who contributed two doubles and two RBIs. “I’m just trying to stay back and stay tall through the ball. You hope you’ll play your best going at the end of the year going into the end of conference play where it really matters.”

Chicago State rallied for four runs off Brad Heinz in the ninth inning but it was not enough to alter the game’s outcome.