Two home runs from third baseman Rob Marconi propelled NIU to a 12-10 victory over the University of Illinois on Wednesday.

The Huskies (7-7) took down the U of I team (6-2) who entered the game with a team E.R.A. of 2.21. A home opener for the Illini, they now have a 101-19-1 record in season-opening games at Illinois Field.

“It’s a great win for our kids,” NIU coach Ed Mathey said. “We told them this week that we wanted to approach this game like it was a conference game because, for us, Illinois is a big game. Some of our kids were recruited by them, and everyone knows about the Big Ten.”

Marconi finished the game 3-for-5 with four RBI’s. DH Scott Simon added his second home run of the season.

Mark Skrukrud struggled at the mound, allowing seven runs, six earned, on 12 hits in five and two-thirds innings pitched.

The six-through-nine hitters provided the strength of NIU’s offense, combining to finish the game 9-for-15 with a home run, three RBI’s and seven runs scored.

“If you can get that kind of production from the bottom of your line-up, then you have a chance to have a pretty good day,” Mathey said.