DeKALB | When you learn how to walk, your legs are inevitably a wobbly, punch-drunk mess. There is more stumble than stroll in your early gait.

Eventually, you gain the control necessary to stand upright for prolonged periods of time, and, with age and practice, you saunter from place to place.

On Friday at Ralph McKenzie Field, Trevor Feeney ensured the first steps for NIU into MAC play would be long, smooth strides.

With a plethora of scouts from MLB perched behind home plate, the junior right-hander displayed a dazzling array of pitches on his way to a complete game victory.

With potent movement and pin-point location on all four of his pitches, Feeney (2-2) baffled an aggressive Ohio lineup and earned his first career complete game.

“I just wanted to come out and throw strikes,” Feeney said. “I wanted to get ahead of their hitters and see what would happen. It worked out for our team and was a good tone setter for this weekend.”

By the time the fifth inning rolled around, NIU had a healthy 6-0 lead, the Bobcats had a series of zeros on the scoreboard and the Joliet Catholic product had a perfect game in tow.

“Trevor has a great pace now between his pitches,” said NIU head coach Ed Mathey. “He’s fielding his position, he’s holding runners and he’s keeping his composure. Those are the signs of a maturing pitcher, and a guy you want to have out there on Fridays.”

When all was said and done, Feeney scattered five hits, surrendered three runs and fanned five in the first complete game by an NIU pitcher in 63 games.