March 22, 2008
Game One Recap: Mathey Becomes Career Wins Leader With 10-3 Huskie Triumph at Buffalo
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format 
OLEAN, N.Y. - Despite frigid temperatures, the Northern Illinois bats stayed red hot with a 17-1 rout of Buffalo to complete a doubleheader sweep Saturday. Adam Holdenrid (Mendota, Ill./Mendota) stymied the Bulls to the tone of three hits in the game as NIU recorded its most lop-sided MAC victory of the Modern Era.
Despite playing in temperatures in the low to mid 30's, the Huskies were able to complete their second doubleheader sweep of the season and their first MAC doubleheader sweep since 2004 to improve to 6-10 overall and 2-0 in league play.
"Conditions weren't optimal but we swung the bats real well and got outstanding pitching all day," said head coach Ed Mathey, who became NIU's career victories leader after the 10-3 win in game one. "Justin Behm did a great job and was hot at the plate all day. Trevor Feeney threw very well in the first game and Adam Holdenrid followed that up with a strong performance after we staked him to a good lead. Our performance today was great to see."
The Huskies scored three times in the top of the first beginning with a single by Danny Reed (Lindstrom, Minn./North Iowa Area CC), who extended his hitting streak to 14 games, that plated Bobby Stevens (Chicago, Ill./Guerin Prep) and Jeff Thomas (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem).
NIU extended its lead to 11-0 through three behind four-run outbursts in both the second and third innings. In the second, Stevens tripled home Pat Minogue (Crystal Lake, Ill./Central) and Behm (Downers Grove, Ill./North) singled in a pair. One inning later, the Huskies put up four runs on two hits, keyed by Thomas' single that scored two.
Already up 10, the Huskies put up five more runs in the sixth to make it 16-1. Behm began the scoring by belting a solo home run before Minogue doubled home Anthony Maziur (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) and a Thomas sacrifice fly scored Joe Buonavolanto (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale South). Jordin Hood (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Lake Zurich) then brought in a pair of runs on a double to cap the frame.
Dave Reynolds (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) wrapped up the game scoring with a solo home run in the seventh.
Holdenrid, who improved to 3-1 on the season, notched his first complete game victory and set a career-high with nine strikeouts while limiting the Bulls to just three hits, one earned run and one walk.
Offensively, Thomas led the Huskies with a career-high four RBI while Hood, Reed and Behm each added three.
Mike Torangeau (1-2) took the loss for Buffalo (5-13, 0-2).
NIU will go for the series sweep in Sunday's finale at 1 p.m. ET.
HUSKIE TRACKS
-Trevor Feeney and Adam Holdenrid combined to give NIU its first consecutive complete game performances since Nick Hall and Holdenrid combined to achieve the feat during in May 2005.
-Holdenrid recorded his highest career strikeout total, topping his previous best of eight set back in 2005.
-Jeff Thomas set a career-high with four RBI, topping his previous best of three, set three times previously.
-Danny Reed's 14-game hitting streak is one shy of his career-best 15 set last season.
-NIU's last MAC sweep came on May 1, 2004 with 7-2 and 6-2 wins over Akron. It was the Huskies' first conference road doubleheader sweep under Ed Mathey.
-NIU-
