In its first weekend of MAC play, the NIU baseball team was swept on the road by Ball State.

Ball State 9, NIU 6: The Cardinals (14-1 overall, 4-2 MAC) scored seven runs in the first three innings en route to the three-game sweep of NIU (12-14, 0-3).

Ball State scored two runs in the first before NIU scored one in the top of the second on a Tug Gillingham groundout to second. BSU added three more runs in the bottom of the second to widen its lead to 5-1.

The Cardinals added two more in the bottom of the frame for a 7-2 lead.

Greg Larsen went one for three with a solo home run for the Huskies in the loss. Jeremy Busch finished two for five with a pair of RBIs for NIU.

Ball State 6, NIU 3: For the second straight day, NIU’s offense remained silent in Saturday’s loss to Ball State.

NIU starting pitcher Zach Minor threw seven innings, striking out seven and walking two. He gave up a grand slam to Cardinals catcher Lucas Fry, putting Ball State in a 5-1 lead in the third inning.

“I thought Zach [Minor] threw the ball extremely well all day,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “The home run ball got up into the jet stream and was carried over the fence. On many days, that is a routine fly ball to right. However, Zach came right back and got the final out and was extremely effective over the next four innings.”

Rob Marconi hit his NIU record-setting 26th career home run in the first inning to give the Huskies an early lead. Marconi passed Eric Welsh (1995-’97), who hit 25 home runs in three seasons at NIU.

“I’m sure it’s a bittersweet feeling right now for Rob [Marconi],” Mathey said. “Rob has been a great player for us during our two seasons here, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his family.”

Ball State 3, NIU 2: With NIU holding a 2-0 lead in the ninth, pitcher Joe Piekarz came back hoping to finish off Ball State in the bottom of the inning.

The Cardinals rallied to score three runs in the ninth to come back for the win, handing Piekarz the loss. Piekarz, who is 3-4 this year, has received a combined six runs in his four losses.

“Joe [Piekarz] has been outstanding this season,” Mathey said. “He’s 3-4 on the season, but he should really be 5-2. You hate to see a guy pick up a loss when he pitches that well.”