Coach Ed Mathey’s team won’t have much time to celebrate its first MAC win.

After topping Bowling Green 6-5 Sunday, the NIU baseball team had a day off Monday and will face off against Chicago State at 3 p.m. today at Ralph McKenzie Field.

“We were pleased with the win, but I think we could have had two of them,” Mathey said. “We need to continue to go out and pitch the baseball well.”

Mathey expects to start junior left-hander Brandon Hodge in today’s game.

Hodge carries an 8.78 ERA with a 1-4 record but has been hindered by shoulder ailments this season.

Scouting Chicago State

The Cougars began their season with 25 straight losses and come into today’s game riding a six-game losing streak.

“They’ve played a heck of a schedule, so their record is deceiving,” Mathey said.

Blair, Simon still gone

Two of NIU’s starters will continue to sit out for today’s game.

First baseman Jake Blair, who has hit .287 with four home runs this season, has not played since an April 10 game at Western Michigan because of an aggravated back strain.

Blair visited a chiropractor Monday and hopes to play in Wednesday’s game against University of Illinois-Chicago.

Scott Simon, who led the Huskies with 73 RBIs last season, has not started since mid-March and is unlikely to play this week due to a strain in his right wrist.

“He hasn’t been able to swing the bat yet,” Mathey said, “and he’s got to get some batting practice in before getting into a game.”

Who’s on first?

With Blair out and first baseman Brian Smith pitching on Sunday, Mathey decided to put senior Mike Santoro at first base for the first time in his collegiate career.

“He did a great job,” Mathey said of Santoro, who usually plays right field. “It’s definitely an option, and with Jake out of the lineup, we’re looking for options.”

Santoro will start at first again today while Smith rests after pitching 8.1 innings Sunday.

“[Santoro] played [first base] a little in high school and over the summer,” Mathey said, “but he’s put in some time studying it and he’s been around the game long enough to adjust to it well.”