Lubbock, Texas, here comes the NIU baseball team-again.

For the second season in a row, the Huskies start their season with a three-game series against Texas Tech University.

In last year’s opener, NIU tied the game in the top of the ninth only to watch the Red Raiders score the winning run in the bottom half. The Huskies went 1-2 in the opening series.

Right-hander Nick Hall will take the mound at 3 p.m. today in an attempt to get NIU’s first opening-day win since 1998.

The Huskies top returning starting pitcher, Hall will make his first start since his complete-game, extra-inning effort in the Fall World Series.

A No. 3 pitcher with a 4-5 record last season, the junior will take over the top spot with the loss of seniors Zach Minor and Joe Piekarz.

At the end of last season, Hall showed improvement. He went 2-1 down the stretch and was named pitcher of the year while playing with the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwood League over the summer.

Behind Hall, first basemen Scott Simon will look to improve on a season in which he broke three school records.

The junior led the MAC with 71 RBI and 24 doubles, while leading the Huskies with 89 hits.

The other offensive force is fifth-year player Mike Santoro. The NIU single-season home run leader missed most of the 2004 season with a stress fracture in his foot.

Santoro did play the opening series against the Red Raiders last season. The senior went 4-for-13 with a homer, a double and three RBI.

NIU will make its home debut against North Park at 2 p.m. Mar. 1 before going on the road until Mar. 22.