DeKALB — The NIU baseball team finished their first weekend series of the 2022 season with a close 10-9 loss to Sacramento State Sunday.

A close game throughout

Both the Huskies and the Hornets saw hitting success against opposing pitchers throughout the game. NIU led the hitting category with 13 for the day, but Sacramento State hitters reached base from walks eight times in the game and were able to just edge out the Huskies in runs.

There were many pitching changes in the game on both sides. Sophomore starting pitcher Caleb Pittman was taken out after pitching two innings for NIU, followed by four more relief efforts through the remainder of the game. Sacramento State utilized five players from their pitching staff for the game.

Sophomore infielder Aaron Harper led the Huskies in batting stats for the day with three hits including a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning that pushed the Huskies to a temporary 9-5 lead.

Sacramento State quickly retaliated with a five-run rally to gain the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning for the final scoring action of the game.

Preparing for Murray State

The Huskies now have a 0-4 record following their losses at Sacramento State. 

The team will see action again next weekend when they travel to Murray, Kentucky to face Murray State University in a four-game series. The Huskies’ first game against the Racers will take place at 3 p.m. Friday and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.