Area roundup: NIU baseball falls; Sycamore soccer wins opener

The Northern Illinois University baseball team fell behind early to the Chicago State Cougars at Cougar Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, but closed to within one run in the eighth inning in a 10-8 loss.

“It was a tough day today,” head coach Mike Kunigonis said. “We had more than our fair share of opportunities but didn’t take advantage of them.

NIU (4-16) fell behind 9-1 through five innings, and started to rally back in the top of the seventh.

BOYS TENNIS

DeKalb boys drop opener: The Barbs lost at home to Harlem, 3-2.

DeKalb won both singles matches, with Emrys Draper winning 6-3, 6-6, 7-4 at No. 1 and Caleb Hoffman winning 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2.

GIRLS SOCCER

Sycamore rolls in opener: The Spartans exploded for an 11-1 win at Auburn.

Indian Creek ties Oregon: Neither team scored in the home match for the Timberwolves.

Kaneland edges Dixon: The Knights picked up a home win, 5-4.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

Keller earns MAC co-POW: NIU freshman Katie Keller hit .733 last week with a 1.400 slugging average, earning the conference’s player of the week honor.

The Geneva native hit two home runs on the week.

LATE MONDAY

G-K soccer ties opener: Neither Marengo nor the Cogs were able to score in the season opener.

Kaneland soccer falls to Plainfield Central: Kaneland lost to Plainfield Central, 3-1.