The NIU baseball team wasted no time handing Chicago State its 19th loss in its last 20 games as it scored three runs in the first inning en route to a 9-0 victory.

The Huskies (19-12) took advantage of six CSU errors, three of which came in the first inning.

“It was important for us to come out strong,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “Chicago State is a program that is struggling record wise, but a shutout is a shutout. We wanted to establish control early and not let it get out of our hands and we did exactly that today.”

NIU scored in each of the first four innings of the game, picking up the three runs in the first followed by a run each of the next three frames.

Freshman Scott Simon led the team with three hits on the day and senior Dan Urban had two RBIs and two hits.

Every position player saw action in the contest.

“It was nice to see guys in some different situations and rest a guy or two,” Mathey said. “Your starters always want to play, but it’s not always a bad thing for them to take a step back and get some prospective on what happens when they’re not out there.”

NIU junior, righty Nathan Stillwell upped his record to 2-0 going six innings allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out three.

Even without getting a hit, outfielder Mike Santoro picked up two RBIs. Shortstop Joe Mazzuca contributed by scoring three runs and picking up a hit.

While the Huskies scored nine times, they did strand 10 baserunners.