March 6, 2005

Final Score: Northern Illinois 9, Southern Illinois 3

Box Score

NIU Freshmen Smith, Cherney Lead Huskies To First Win Of 2005 Baseball Slate

Carbondale, IL – Freshman Brian Smith made his first collegiate victory a memorable one, as he used a complete-game, five-hit effort to lead the Northern Illinois University baseball team to a 9-3 win over Southern Illinois in the final game of a three-game series Sunday (March 6) afternoon in Carbondale, IL.

While Smith allowed just the five hits and two unearned runs, none came before two outs were gone in the seventh inning, as the Chicago Ridge, IL, native took a no-hitter 7.2 innings into the contest to lead the Huskies to their first win of the young season.

“It was just an outstanding pitching performance by a player earning his first collegiate win,” Mathey said. “We didn’t necessarily play the best defense behind him today, so Brian took a lot on his shoulders and ran with it.

“This was a good win for us against a very good Southern Illinois team,” Mathey continued. “We’ve been so close in some games this year that we were ready for a breakout offensive effort like this.”

While Smith put the clamps on the Saluki offense, it was another freshman, Kyle Cherney that led the Huskies offensively. The Crystal Lake, IL, native pounded out a career best three hits, two of which drove in runs to lead the Huskies to a season-best nine runs and 16 total hits. Cherney’s first base-knock, a two-out double in the second inning, helped Northern Illinois open the game’s scoring, as Eric Sansouci followed with a single to push the Huskies in front 1-0. After a Jake Blair RBI single pushed Northern Illinois ahead 2-0 in the second, Cherney recorded his first RBI of the game in the fifth by singling home Mike Santoro. Santoro opened the inning with his first of two doubles on the afternoon.

While Smith was controlling the contest with his right arm, Northern Illinois’ offense put the game away in the seventh with a three-run explosion. Scott Simon reached base on a one-out walk and Santoro doubled to put both players in scoring position. A Blair RBI single preceded a second Cherney single, which scored Santoro for the second time in the game. Anthony Venetucci then singled home Blair to push NIU’s bulge to 6-0.

“We did a much better job of getting hits in key situations,” Mathey said. “We still left some guys on the bases, but with the way Brian was pitching, it really didn’t effect the outcome. It was great to get the win today and I am extremely proud of Brian Smith’s effort this afternoon.”

Northern Illinois returns to action on March 12 vs. Wright State University. Game time is slated for 10 a.m. in Evansville, IN. The Huskies actually have a double-header that day and face Austin Peay State at 1 p.m. that afternoon.