ATHENS, Ohio (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Ohio Bobcats erupted for 10 runs over the sixth and seventh innings Friday afternoon to overcome a seven-run deficit and defeat the Northern Illinois Huskies 14-7 in a Mid-American Conference opener at Bob Wren Stadium.

The victory, played before an evening crowd, snapped a four-game skid for Ohio and improved its record to 3-11. Northern Illinois, which entered the game with a winning record, fell to 7-5. The result defied pregame projections, as Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a 7-1 Huskies victory and gave Northern Illinois a 52.2% probability to win.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Ohio trailing 7-4. The Bobcats sent 13 batters to the plate, capitalizing on shaky Huskies relief pitching, timely hitting and patient at-bats to seize control. The inning began with a Will Henson single and a two-run homer from Dylan Shepherd, his first of the season, to cut the deficit to one run. After a single and a walk loaded the bases, Reese Harmon drew a walk to force in the tying run.

Northern Illinois reliever Blake Gaskey was replaced by Matt Tarr, but the command issues persisted. Cameron Boyd worked another bases-loaded walk to give Ohio its first lead at 8-7. A wild pitch allowed another run to score, and after another walk reloaded the bases, Dylan Shepherd was hit by a pitch to force in a run. When the dust settled, Ohio had scored six runs on three hits, three walks, two hit batters and a wild pitch to take a 10-7 lead.

The Bobcats added two more in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Stack and an RBI single from Boyd, and two in the eighth on a fielder’s choice and another wild pitch to cement the win.

The offensive explosion erased a strong start by Northern Illinois, which built a 7-0 lead by the third inning. Huskies designated hitter Caden Robertson was a central figure, driving in four runs. His two-run double in the third inning extended the early lead, and his two-run homer in the eighth provided the Huskies’ final runs. First baseman Gavin Baldwin launched a two-run homer in the third, part of a five-run frame that chased Ohio starter Luke Bryant.

Ohio’s comeback was fueled by key performances up and down the lineup. Left fielder Cameron Boyd, named the top star for the Bobcats, broke out of a recent slump by going 2 for 4 with a home run, a walk and four RBIs. His two-run homer in the third inning began Ohio’s initial response, and his RBI single in the seventh provided valuable insurance. Shepherd finished with a home run and three RBIs, while right fielder Cam Hill went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

On the mound, Ohio reliever Mason Gass delivered a pivotal performance, entering in the third inning and stifling the Huskies’ offense. He worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and two earned runs while striking out six to earn the win. His effort stabilized the game after the early outburst and allowed the Bobcat offense time to mount its comeback.

Northern Illinois starter Carter Cox had a bizarre line, pitching four hitless innings but allowing three earned runs, walking four and hitting two batters before being lifted. The Huskies’ bullpen could not maintain the lead, combining to allow 10 runs over the final four innings.

The two teams will continue the three-game series Saturday afternoon.