NIU’s all-time saves leader, Matt German, is having success in the minor leagues.

The left-hander has struck out 17 batters in 15 1/3 innings, averaging more than one strikeout per inning for the Clearwater Threshers. The Threshers are a Class A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies in the Florida State League. He has appeared 10 times with a 2.35 ERA.

NIU baseball coach Ed Mathey thinks German can move up in the pro ranks and surprise some people.

“Matt’s doing outstanding,” Mathey said. “If he can continue to stay healthy, he can get left-handers out and right-handers out. When you’re a lefty out of the bullpen, that’s a nice thing to have.”

The Huskies have been busy recruiting, too. Last week, NIU announced three new signees will join the Huskies in 2009.

The signees are pitcher Kyle Glancy of Oak Park; infielder Alex Jones of Kansas City, Kan.; and utility man Nick Morreale, a transfer student from Vernon Hills.

Morreale is enrolled at Mesa Community College in Arizona. He was a 46th-round draft choice out of high school by the Phillies.

Mathey thinks this could be the best class he’s recruited.

“Each brings excellent quality, both in terms of baseball ability and character, into Northern Illinois University. They all fit what we are doing and where we are going,” Mathey said in a press release. “[Associate Head Coach] Steve Joslyn addressed our needs with this class and when it is all said and done, this has a chance to be our highest-ranked class.”

Women’s track and field

Women’s track and field took last of three teams at the Jack Shaw Invitational in Kalamazoo, Mich., this weekend. The Huskies finished behind Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

Cora Caulfield won the women’s discus throw event. NIU head coach Connie Teaberry believes Caulfield could be a factor in the NCAA competition.

“She’s just about three feet away from qualifying,” Teaberry said. “She’s hit a personal record in that event in just about every meet this year.”

Coretta Evans finished second of five in the 400-meters, running the race in 59.31 seconds.

Elizabeth Berquist finished second of seven in the women’s high jump event. Berquist jumped 1.65 meters.

The Huskies compete in the Purdue Outdoor Open on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind. After that, NIU has the MAC Championship meet May 15 in Bowling Green, Ohio.