NORMAL, Ill. - Former Huskie Justin Fletcher, a three-year starter at second base and centerfield, signed a professional baseball contract with the Normal Cornbelters on July 15, becoming the first player from the 2016 team to sign professionally.

The Cornbelters are an affiliate of the Frontier League, an Independent League baseball franchise. The Cornbelters play at the Corn Crib, located where Interstate 39 meets Interstate 55 in Normal.

The Pekin, Ill., native recorded at least one hit in each of his first three starts last weekend, going 4-for-11 (.363) in three games against Windy City Thunderbolts that included two hits in his debut last Friday.

As a senior in 2016, Fletcher started all 56 games for the Huskies in center field, finishing second on the team with a .301 batting average. The Pekin, Ill., native hit 17 doubles to lead the Huskies in that category while also tallying two triples, a home run, 39 RBI, 37 runs and 11 stolen bases.

Fletcher was named the MAC West's Player of the Week on Feb. 29, 2016 after hitting .824 (14-for-17) with six doubles, a triple and seven RBI in a four-game series at Murray State. He also earned MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week honors for his feat.

Over three seasons and 162 games at NIU, Fletcher amassed 160 hits, including 33 doubles and eight triples, closing his career with a career on-base percentage of .320. He closed his career tied for seventh all-time in career double plays turned with 62 and shares the program's record for doubles in a game with three. Fletcher was twice decorated as an Academic All-MAC selection and received MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete honors in 2016.

Normal finished with a 23-28 record in the first half of the Frontier League season, placing six players on the West Division All-Star team when the team was announced July 4. Fletcher is fourth NIU player to sign professionally in the last four years.

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