Sometimes, just when the game seems out of reach from your opponent, the game slips away.

Carrying a 4-0 lead into the seventh inning versus a 6-29 Chicago State team led most spectators to believe NIU was on its way to capturing win No. 23 on the season.

With the lead, NIU coach Ed Mathey made the decision to change pitchers, removing starter Matt Steiger in favor of Jim Caine.

“Steiger had already extended himself for the day,” Mathey said. “[Caine], that’s his role. We needed to get him in and get some work. He had some things to work out with his mechanics.”

Caine wasn’t the only substitution as catcher Anthony Venetucci was removed for Derek Barrone.

Both moves would come back to haunt Mathey.

Caine struck out the first batter of the inning. Then, Caine walked four of the next five Cougars before being pulled from the game.

“We got lucky,” Chicago State coach Terrence Jackson said. “They gave out a few walks. It gave our hitters extra at-bats. Whenever you give the other team second chances, it hurts you.”

Caine was replaced by Zach Minor. After allowing a run to score off of a wild pitch and walking the first batter, Minor had the opportunity to make the final out of the inning.

Chicago State’s Bryan Grippo hit a short fly ball in foul territory that was uncatchable. He then was awarded first base.

On the play, Barrone’s glove accidentally made contact with Grippo’s bat. The ump correctly called the catcher’s interference, according to the rule book.

With the extra opportunity, Chicago State tacked on two additional runs to leave the seventh with the surprising lead and an eventual win.

“It’s disappointing,” Steiger said. “Personally I don’t care about whether I get the win or loss, just how the team did. I had complete confidence in the bullpen. We had a rough inning. We just need to move on and put this game in the past.”