While the final stats may not jump out at you – six innings, six hits and three earned runs – starter Mark Badgley specialized in strike outs and damage control in the Huskies’ 8-6 win over Illinois State Tuesday.

The senior struck out a career-high nine batters, surpassing his previous high of eight, on a day when the wind was consistently blowing over 20 mph from right field.

“I hated the wind,” Badgley said. “It was blowing me over all game and I kept having to stabilize myself.”

After starting the game by giving up a single, hitting a batter and giving up a double, Badgley kept his composure and went on to retire nine batters in a row.

“He was hitting his spots and is starting to get his slider over more consistently,” coach Ed Mathey said. “When those two things are on, he can be pretty tough out there.”

Badgley displayed his confidence and senior mentality when, with one out and runners on second and third, he struck a batter out and forced a pop-out to get the Huskies out of a jam.

So the final stat line may not have been impressive, but it’s what didn’t show up in the stat line that gave Badgley the win.