AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — Ivan Dahlberg’s three-run homer in the ninth inning provided crucial insurance runs as Northern Illinois survived a late rally to defeat Akron 10-8 in a Mid-American Conference baseball game Friday at InfoCision Stadium.

The Huskies (21-11, 4-3 MAC) appeared to have the game in hand after a five-run eighth inning, but the Zips (15-22, 2-5) responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame to tighten the score. Dahlberg’s blast to right field off reliever John Allen in the top of the ninth scored Wyatt Wawro and Caden Robertson, extending the lead to 10-7.

That cushion proved necessary as Akron mounted a final threat in the bottom of the ninth. With Matt Tarr on the mound for Northern Illinois, Brody Chrisman was hit by a pitch and Kyle McConachie walked. After a flyout advanced Chrisman to third, Brady Bowen delivered an RBI single to left, scoring Chrisman to make it 10-8. Easton Amundson then reached on a fielder’s choice, putting the tying run on base, but Tarr struck out Mitchel Szymczak looking to end the game.

The contest was defined by strong starting pitching and defensive miscues. Northern Illinois starter Max Vaisvila turned in a dominant performance, allowing no hits over six innings. He was charged with two unearned runs, walking three and striking out three. His counterpart, Akron’s Elijah Griffith, was nearly as effective, surrendering just one hit—a solo home run to Cooper Cohn in the second inning—over six innings, walking one and striking out eight.

The game was a 3-2 pitchers’ duel until the eighth inning, when Northern Illinois capitalized on Akron’s bullpen and defensive errors. With two on and no outs, Wyatt Wawro laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error by pitcher Floyd McKenna, allowing Vinny Spotofora to score. Later in the inning, Gavin Baldwin reached on a fielder’s choice that led to two more runs scoring on another errant throw, this time by pitcher Taylor Bednar. Will Couchman added an RBI single in the inning as the Huskies sent 11 men to the plate, scoring five unearned runs for an 8-3 lead.

Akron immediately answered in the bottom half. Easton Amundson led off with a solo homer to right-center off reliever Blake Gaskey. The Zips then loaded the bases with one out before a throwing error by Huskies third baseman Nolan Sandee allowed one run to score. Kelton Phillips followed with a two-run single to center, cutting the deficit to 8-7 and setting the stage for the dramatic final inning.

Despite being outhit 12-5, Northern Illinois took advantage of nine walks, three hit batters and three Akron errors. Dahlberg finished 1 for 4 with the decisive three-run homer. Cohn was 1 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs and two walks.

For Akron, Amundson went 2 for 5 with a home run, double and two RBIs. Prince DeBoskie was 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Chrisman went 3 for 4 with three runs scored.

The victory improved Northern Illinois’ conference record, while Akron’s late comeback attempt fell short. The two teams are scheduled to continue their series Saturday afternoon.

The most important part of the game was the top of the ninth inning. With Northern Illinois’ lead trimmed to just one run after Akron’s four-run rally in the eighth, the Huskies’ offense, which had been largely silent aside from the error-aided eighth, needed a response. Ivan Dahlberg provided it with his three-run homer, a clean, decisive blow that ultimately supplied the necessary runs to withstand Akron’s final push in the bottom of the ninth.