After a slow start this weekend, the NIU baseball team rallied late in the final of four games to avoid being swept by host Miami (Ohio).

The Huskies (23-17, 9-7 MAC) registered five hits in Saturday’s doubleheader after Friday’s game was postponed because of rain.

In the opener, NIU managed just two hits losing 2-0 despite senior Mark Skrukrud pitching seven innings of shutout baseball.

In the next game, the Huskies pounded out just three hits, two by junior infielder Josh Owens. Junior left-hander Zach Minor took the loss in the 5-0 defeat.

“The defense played OK today,” coach Ed Mathey said. “Mark Skrukrud pitched a great game. He pitched his heart out. He did everything he could to put us in a position to win.”

NIU found its lost offense in Sunday’s twin bill pounding out 29 hits. Freshman Scott Simon led the hit parade with seven while driving in five runs.

In the first game, the Huskies blew a four-run lead and lost 10-9 as freshman Nick Hall allowed eight runs in just four and one-third innings of work. Simon and junior outfielder Mike Santoro each drove in two runs.

After falling behind 6-1 in Sunday’s finale, the Huskies stepped up to the plate and delivered seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Junior Joe Mazzuca started the rally with an RBI fielder’s choice. After an RBI single by Santoro, Simon hit a two-run homer, his second of the day and sixth of the season to tie the game at 8-8. Mazzuca put the Huskies on top for good with a three run homer, his sixth of the year, in the eighth.