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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

MAC baseball season could pay off for NIU

By Brian Earle | April 23, 2013

The MAC baseball season is quite similar to that of a nine-inning baseball game. Throughout the course of the season, the Huskies (16-21, 11-4 MAC) play nine weekend series against MAC opponents. The games are crucial in deciding the Huskies’ place...

Baseball set for Northwesern matchup

By Brian Earle | April 22, 2013

While baseball has not played especially strong in its midweek games this season, it will look to turn the tides in a matchup against Northwestern today in Evanston. The Huskies (16-21) have won their last four MAC series and have lost just two games...

Baseball prepares for Ohio matchup

By Brian Earle | April 17, 2013

Following a midweek 19-0 loss to Bradley on Tuesday and a rainout with UIC on Wednesday, baseball will return to MAC action this weekend. The Huskies will take on Ohio in Athens for a three-game series. The key for the Huskies (14-20, 9-3 MAC) will be...

Baseball falls to Bradley

By Brian Earle | April 16, 2013

In baseball’s first of two midweek games this week, it laid an egg against Bradley as it was shut out 19-0 in seven innings at Ralph McKinzie Field. The game was called due to a 10-run rule that was agreed upon by both head coaches before the game....

Baseball looks to continue momentum in Bradley matchup

By Brian Earle | April 15, 2013

The MAC West-leading NIU baseball team will look to continue its strong play in a midweek matchup against the Bradley Braves at 3:05 p.m. at Ralph McKinzie Field. The Huskies (14-19) are coming off a three-game sweep over Western Michigan and have posted...

Baseball sweeps Western Michigan

By Brian Earle | April 14, 2013

After being swept last weekend to begin MAC play, NIU baseball coach Ed Mathey was more relaxed after his team swept formerly unbeaten Western Michigan this weekend.

The Huskies finished their first sweep since Feb. 29, ousting the Broncos 20-6 Sunday at Ralph McKinzie Field. NIU’s 20 runs were the third-highest in school history.

"We did what we needed to do," NIU third baseman Rob Marconi said. "We had close games at Ball State, and we needed the sweep."

NIU (16-15 overall, 3-3 MAC) scored 32 runs in the weekend series, compared to 11 against Ball State.

"We talk about momentum in baseball," Mathey said. "Last weekend, we were winning in the ninth, and bam - Ball State comes back. This weekend, we won those close games."

NIU now is tied for fifth place in the MAC West with Western Michigan (12-16, 3-3).

Marconi scored four runs and had three RBIs on two hits. Mike Hochhauser also scored four runs and had three RBIs on five hits for the Huskies. The five hits tied the NIU record.

"This is a big weekend for us to come back and get back in the race," Mathey said. "Today was a great day, and it helps the whole team. We’re playing instinctively right now."

In Saturday’s game, Zach Minor tied the NIU career record for wins in the Huskies’ eighth-inning comeback Saturday. With Minor’s outing, he now is 5-1 on the season with a 2.19 ERA.

In Friday’s victory, Joe Piekarz’s complete-game win almost was ruined when the Broncos’ Justin Carter hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth, but Piekarz managed to get two ground outs to secure the win.

Baseball falls to Illinois State

By Brian Earle | April 10, 2013

Baseball dropped its midweek matchup against the Illinois State Redbirds 7-3 Tuesday at Illinois State. The Huskies (11-19) jumped to a 1-0 lead in the second inning when junior Joe Battaglia singled to left field, driving in junior Jeff Zimmerman from...

Baseball looks to take Milwaukee

By Brian Earle | April 8, 2013

Baseball has been on a tear and will look to continue that strong play today in a mid-week matchup against Illinois State. In the Huskies’ (11-18) last 10 games, they have gone 7-3 overall and won their last two conference series against Akron and Central...

Baseball wins two out of three games over weekend

By Brian Earle | April 7, 2013

Baseball continued its strong play as it won two out of three games against Central Michigan this weekend. The Huskies (11-18, 6-3 MAC) suffered a 6-3 loss on Friday, but bounced back to defeat the Chippewas (12-18, 3-6 MAC) 7-2 on Saturday and 5-3 on...

Week One Storylines for the Cubs

By Rob Willer | April 7, 2013

With the first week of the MLB season in the books, here are some of my week one storylines for the Cubs: Demotion of Carlos Marmol: Marmol has always been an interesting one for Cubs fans with his antics as the closer. Marmol has had many great outings...

RS sophomore Nikita Kapshuk returns a volley during a match last Friday against Western Michigan University.

Baseball continues streak, goes over Milwaukee

By Brian Earle | April 3, 2013

NIU increased its winning streak to four on Wednesday when it defeated Milwaukee 10-6 in its first home game of the season. The Panthers (11-12, 7-2 Horizon) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first on a fielding error by NIU freshman second baseman...

Baseball set for Milwaukee

By Brian Earle | April 2, 2013

Baseball will look to continue its three-game winning streak today when it hosts Milwaukee at Ralph McKinzie Field for its first home game of the season. The Huskies (8-17, 4-2 MAC) are feeling confident after their sweep over Akron last weekend. Over...