Oct. 4, 2006

DeKALB, Ill. - Ed Mathey's NIU baseball team reaches the highlight of their fall workouts Saturday with the beginning of the annual Fall World Series. The five-game intrasquad series at Ralph McKinzie Field will not only provide bragging rights for the winning players among their teammates, but offers a way to evaluate the returnees and newcomers in game conditions.

The 2007 Huskies return eight of nine position starters, including the school's career hit king, Scott Simon. On the mound, NIU returns nine pitchers from a year ago, including bullpen aces Matt German, who posted a 0.49 ERA and 11 saves to earn first-team selections on the all-Mideast Region and All-MAC squads, and Mark Badgley, the school's career saves and appearances leader.

NIU's 2007 squad features 18 upperclassmen with nine seniors as the team's core. Statistically, the Huskies return 83% of their at-bats and runs scored and 82% of their hits from last season. On the mound, NIU returns 100% of its saves, 90% of its appearances, and 87% of its strikeouts from 2006.

Mathey's squad wraps up fall workouts during the month of October and will report back for practice after the start of the 2007 spring semester to begin preparations for the season opener Feb. 23 at Texas Tech.

SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 7 - 11 a.m. (DH)
Tuesday, October 10 - 3 p.m.
Monday, October 16 - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, October 17 - 3 p.m.

RED TEAM
Position Players: Justin Behm, Marc Besteman, Colin Grant, Jordin Hood, Tim Kamin, Brett Kellam, Anthony Maziur, Pat Minogue, Tim Ryan, Scott Simon.
Pitchers: Brandon Copp, Trevor Feeney, Matt German, Brad Heinz, Adam Holdenrid, Dave Nykiel, Dan Skelly.

BLACK TEAM
Position Players: Matt Behren, Joe Buonavolanto, Daniel Jewett, Sam Kapacinskas, Danny Reed, Dave Reynolds, Jesse Seykora, Brian Smith, Bobby Stevens, Jeff Thomas.
Pitchers: Dan Atkenson, Mark Badgley, Cody Beck, Andy Deain, Matt Jernstad.