DeKALB | A right-wrist injury has relegated sophomore shortstop Bobby Stevens to a pinch running role for the rest of the season.

The road to the MAC Tournament for NIU just got a little tougher, as Stevens is expected to be in a cast until early June.

“I like being in the game, involved, get everyone talking,” Stevens said. “Not being in the game is tough for me, I might just get a chance to pinch run, I’ll contribute any way I can, keeping guys up, motivating them for the rest of the season.”

At the time of the injury, Stevens led NIU in steals and runs scored. Senior Marc Besteman, brought to NIU as a short stop out of North Central CC, will slide over from second base to take Stevens’ spot.

Stevens started the game in a pair of red NIU shorts and a black workout top, and inning-by-inning come closer to being in full uniform.

The injured short stop eventually entered the game in the top of the ninth as a pinch runner and potential tying run.

With a black cast that extends just below the elbow, Stevens looked more like a football player than the speedster that is a perfect 15-for-15 in stolen base attempts.

Dressed in a black workout top and red shorts, Stevens took a bucket of ground balls after the game, moving swiftly to the ball and dropping it to the ground once fielded.

“You just can’t keep that kid off the field,” said NIU coach Ed Mathey. “He’s such a great presence, the doctor says he can pinch run and that is our best base running threat.”

An emotional leader and energetic presence in the dug out, Stevens will be missed, Mathey said.