GREENSBORO, N.C. (Interstat) — The Northern Illinois Huskies capitalized on early opportunities and a decisive fourth-inning rally to overpower the North Carolina A&T Aggies 10-2 on Friday in the season opener for both teams at World War Memorial Stadium.

Despite being projected as underdogs by Interstat’s ELO system, which gave the Aggies a 57.10 percent probability to win, the Huskies controlled the game from the start. Northern Illinois scored an unearned run in the first inning without a hit, as Charlie walked, stole second and third, and came home on a passed ball.

The Huskies extended their lead to 2-0 in the second on an RBI single by Vinny and a sacrifice fly by Charlie. The game’s most important sequence came in the top of the fourth inning, when Northern Illinois broke it open. The Huskies loaded the bases against reliever Johnson, prompting another pitching change. Facing Ross Fowler, Charlie was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Smith then cleared the bases with a triple to deep center field, and later scored on a groundout by Gavin, capping a five-run inning that pushed the lead to 7-0.

Northern Illinois added two more runs in the fifth on another RBI single from Charlie and a final run in the ninth on Vinny’s second run-scoring single. The Huskies finished with seven hits but drew eight walks and were hit by three pitches.

North Carolina A&T managed just five hits against four Northern Illinois pitchers. The Aggies scored their first run in the fourth when Boaz Harper drove in Taylor with a single. Their only other run came on Bradshaw’s solo home run to left field off reliever Mason Orton in the eighth inning.

Huskies starter Carter Cox earned the win with five innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and striking out six. Gavin Micklinghoff provided two scoreless innings of relief. For the Aggies, starter Barrett took the loss, and the bullpen of Johnson, Fowler, James Van Meter and Griffin combined to allow eight runs over the final 5 2/3 innings.

Defensively, the Aggies committed one error, which extended the sixth inning, but their pitchers struggled to contain the Huskies’ patient offense. Northern Illinois struck out 14 times but consistently put runners on base.

With the victory, Northern Illinois begins its season 1-0, while North Carolina A&T starts 0-1. The two teams are scheduled to continue their series on Saturday and Monday in Greensboro.

Following the series, Northern Illinois will embark on an extended road trip through the Carolinas and Missouri, facing East Carolina, South Carolina Upstate, Presbyterian, Wofford and Lindenwood. North Carolina A&T’s early schedule remains challenging, with upcoming road games against UNC Greensboro, Appalachian State, Queens and North Carolina before hosting Akron for a three-game series.