Feb. 14, 2007
With 19 returning letterwinners, including eight seniors, Northern Illinois looks to use its blend of veteran leadership and experienced underclassmen in its quest to return to the Mid-American Conference Tournament in 2007. Eight of nine Huskie positional starters return from 2006 and nine of 11 pitchers are back in the fold this season.
"Returning as many pitchers and position starters as we do is a cause for optimism," head coach Ed Mathey said. "This year's team, if healthy, should be in a position to make a run at getting back to the MAC Tournament."
Statistically speaking, NIU returns over 80 percent of its at-bats, runs scored, hits and stolen bases from 2006 and on the mound brings back 100 percent of its saves, 90 percent of its pitching appearances and 87 percent of its strikeouts of a year ago.
PITCHING
The Huskie pitching staff is led by a pair of senior captains in the bullpen. Mark Badgley, the school's career saves leader, and Matt German, projected by Collegiate Baseball as MAC pitcher of the year in 2007, provide a 1-2 punch that rivals any in the league.
"Badgley had a great season last year after coming back from injury and German was outstanding and earned first-team all-region accolades," Mathey said. "If those two can have close to the same effectiveness as last season, then that bodes well for our team."
Leading the competition for starting roles is a trio of juniors in Brian Smith, Trevor Feeney and Matt Jernstad, the three returning leaders in starts. Smith owns 10 victories in his first two seasons as a Huskie, Feeney led the team in strikeouts last season and Jernstad won four of his five decisions in 2006. Also fighting for a spot in the weekend rotation is sophomore Brandon Copp, who pitched in the Cape Cod League last summer. Badgley may also get a look as a starter.
"I am cautiously optimistic about our pitching. We went to battle with several young arms and untested pitchers last season who will be better for having that experience this year," Mathey said.
Also in the bullpen is junior Dave Nykiel, who appeared in 25 games last year, and sophomore Andy Deain, who won two games in relief a year ago. A wildcard in the pitching plans is lefthander Adam Holdenrid, who was sidelined because of injury in 2006, and could figure into the mix if healthy. Providing depth is freshman Cody Beck, juniors Dan Atkenson and Brad Heinz, and senior Brett Kellam, who will also see time in the outfield.
"A lot of how we use of bullpen will depend on who pitches well early in the season and wins roles as conference starters," Mathey said.
CATCHING
Justin Behm and Matt Behren are NIU's top returnees behind the plate, combining for 39 of 55 starts at catcher in 2006. Behm provides more power at the plate while Behren has more speed and is a left-handed hitter. Senior Tim Ryan, a utility man who can also play the outfield, and junior college transfer Sam Kapacinskas are the backstop reserves.
"Both Behm and Behren have value in our lineup and gained a lot of experience for us last season and we anticipate a strong competition for time this year," Mathey said.
INFIELD
The NIU infield returns all four starters, including captains at the corners. First baseman Scott Simon is chasing several school records and begins the season as one of the MAC's top players. Across the diamond is fellow senior Jesse Seykora, who made a splash hitting in the fifth-hole during his first season at NIU after transferring from junior college. The middle infielders are comprised of senior Marc Besteman at second and sophomore Bobby Stevens, an emerging standout who hit .320 in the MAC after adjusting to the collegiate level.
Junior Tim Kamin is a veteran who can adequately fill a middle infield role when called upon while the freshmen group of Jordin Hood, Dave Reynolds and Joe Buonavolanto will push for playing time. Also figuring in when not on the mound is Smith, who will see time at first base after playing the outfield on a part-time basis his first two years.
"Our infield is our most solid positional group with four returning starters and depth behind them," Mathey said. "On the left side, Seykora is solid at third base and Stevens played well after a tough start at the plate, but maintained his defense throughout the year. Besteman made a difficult transition last season from shortstop to second base and it took a while but he will be a lot better this season for it. You cannot say enough about Simon at first base. He has been a rock for us throughout his career and will own several school marks and have his name all over the record books when he is done."
OUTFIELD
Two-thirds of the Huskie outfield returns with leftfielder Jeff Thomas and centerfielder Pat Minogue, who combined for 99 starts and each hit better than .290 last season. NIU will have a large hole to fill in right after the graduation of All-MAC performer Brian Toner, but slated to step in is junior college All-American Danny Reed. Also in the mix for playing time are seniors Kellam, Ryan and Daniel Jewett. Hood, a newcomer that will split time between the infield and outfield, along with fellow freshman Anthony Maziur, are also expected to contribute.
"Losing Toner will be a tough position to replace, but we also return two players who saw significant time in Thomas and Minogue," Mathey said. "Reed has the makings to be a real contributor for us and also in the mix for playing time will be Jewett and Kellam, who each played last season. Hood may also see time in the outfield, as will Maziur, who is a hard-worker who had a good fall for us."
SCHEDULE
One year after being rated as playing the most difficult schedule in the MAC, the Huskies will again face a challenging slate in 2007. NIU begins the year by playing at perennial Big 12 contender Texas Tech before resuming intrastate competition with Southern Illinois. The Huskies will spend a week in Florida at the Palm Beach Challenge facing opposition from the northeast and a single game against Florida Atlantic. Once back north, NIU faces its usual tests against state schools, including a contest against Eastern Illinois in the annual game at the Kane County Cougars home ballpark in Geneva.
"Opening at Texas Tech is an opportunity to face an outstanding team in a great environment," Mathey said. "From there we go to SIU, who is always in contention in the MVC, and to the Palm Beach Challenge which will provide us an opportunity to be the `home team' in several games. We'll have a very good challenge against Florida Atlantic and then come back north. Games against in-state teams are always competitive and we usually have a number of kids who are very familiar with each other."
The MAC race appears to wide-open again this season with NIU facing the top three projected teams, Kent State, Central Michigan and Ball State, all on the road. Highlighting the home conference schedule will be east contenders Ohio and Miami and west foes Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
"The MAC is a very good league and always a challenge. A lot of people are projecting two teams into the NCAA Tournament from the league. Our first conference road trip is against an improving Akron team and then we go back out to eastern Ohio to play Kent State, considered the favorite in the East. We host Miami in April and they also figure to be among the favorites. The West Division will be extremely competitive. Central Michigan had a great 2006 season and is considered to be the favorite this year. Ball State made a great run into the NCAA's a year ago and appear to have `reloaded' for 2007. Western Michigan returns a lot of pitching and Eastern Michigan could be under the radar and have a very good team with a lot returning from last year. Playing at Toledo at the end of the season is always a tough series."
