The NIU baseball team proved it knew how to start a comeback in its season-opening series.

Now the Huskies have to learn how to finish one.

The Huskies dropped their first three games of the season at Arizona State 5-3, 9-6 and 8-3, respectively.

In games one and two, the Huskies trailed 5-0 and 7-0, but mounted comebacks and got the go-ahead run to the plate. The Huskies couldn’t convert on either occasion.

In game three, the Huskies once again dug an early hole and fell behind 6-0, but mustered only three runs in the comeback attempt.

“I am proud of the way our kids battled and fought out there,” said NIU coach Ed Mathey of the Huskies’ first game. “They were excited about our first game and playing in a great atmosphere.”

First baseman Scott Simon led the Huskies in the series going 4 for 10 at the plate with three walks and two RBIs.

The Huskies have a near three-week layoff before the Evansville tournament. The Huskies kick off the tournament against Eastern Illinois on Feb. 24.

After the Evansville tournament the Huskies will begin a 36-day span in which they will play 20 games.