Feb. 27, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois hurler Mark Badgley was named the MAC West Pitcher of the Week after posting a 2.57 ERA in two appearances at Texas Tech over the weekend. This week's honors were the first handed out by the league for 2007.

"I am very happy for Mark because he stepped up for us this weekend," said head coach Ed Mathey. "He volunteered to pitch in relief Saturday night to try and help us win, knowing that he was going to come back and start the next day. In his start, Mark went out against a very good hitting team and had more strikeouts than innings. He had great stuff and while he didn't get a "W" he gave us a chance to win the game."

The senior from McHenry made his second career start Sunday against the Red Raiders and set career highs with eight strikeouts and 6.1 innings pitched. Badgley shutout Texas Tech through his first six innings of work and yielded just four hits and two earned runs in the outing. Less than 15 hours prior, the McHenry native pitched 0.2 innings of relief, helping maintain a 5-5 seventh-inning tie in a game that NIU eventually won 8-5.

For the year, Badgley has nine strikeouts over 7.0 innings, allowing two earned runs and two walks. He owns the NIU career records for appearances with 98 and saves with 19.