Despite going 24-31 overall, 8-18 in the MAC and losing eight of its last nine games, the NIU baseball team capped its 2006 campaign with numerous individual accolades.

Southpaw Matt German became the first player in NIU history to be named First-Team All-Mideast Region. The honor makes the junior eligible for All-American status, though he has yet to achieve it.

“Certainly, there is historical significance with this being the first NIU baseball player to receive All-Region selection,” said NIU baseball coach Ed Mathey. “That is huge for our program, and hopefully this is the first in a line of honors and awards for us in the future.”

As the Huskies closer, German posted a 0.49 ERA while holding opponents to a .117 batting average on his way to converting all 11 save attempts. The Aurora native’s save mark places him second on NIU’s all-time list.

The senior tossed 36.2 innings while allowing 15 hits, two earned runs and striking out 45.

“My preparation for the year started with hard work in the offseason,” German said. “The way this season went was more than I could have imagined. It’s nice to know my effort didn’t go unnoticed.”

Leaders of the MAC

Along with outfielder Brian Toner, German helped set another milestone for NIU baseball as the two became the first pair of Huskies to be named First-Team All-MAC in the same season.

“Both of those guys had outstanding seasons for us and were worthy of the recognition they received,” Mathey said.

Toner finished in the top 10 of six MAC offensive categories. The senior led NIU with a .373 batting average, .466 and .605 on-base and slugging percentages, respectively, nine home runs and 41 RBIs.

The hitman

It wasn’t a monster home run or clutch RBI, but Scott Simon’s hit in the seventh-inning of NIU’s final game against Toledo made history.

The 245th hit of the Algonquin native’s career put him past Pat Karrigan, who played at NIU from 1999-2002, and become the Huskies all-time hit leader.

“I was not aware of the record until last night, before the game,” Simon said. “It feels real good to be able to achieve that record.”

The junior finished second to Toner on the team by hitting .329 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs. Simon started in all 55 games for the Huskies this spring.

Hall ‘Phils’ out contract

Despite talking to six teams before the MLB draft, senior Nick Hall was not selected.

However, an invitation-only workout with the Philadelphia Phillies proved to be all Hall needed to get his foot in the door as he inked a contract with Philadelphia June 8.

“I was so excited by the news that I could barely write down the details,” Hall said. “I am very excited and eager to begin my pro career and represent NIU.”

Standing at 6-feet-5, the Crystal Lake native became the 12th NIU player since 2003 to sign with a Major League organization.

Hall’s 47 starts tie him for the Huskies all-time lead while his 280.1 innings pitched places him second.

Hall reported to the Phillies spring training complex in Clearwater, Fla. June 12 for workouts and evaluations.

Pitcher Perfect

Sophomore Brandon Copp’s 5.88 ERA and 3-2 record in 32 appearances for NIU this season may not have made headlines.

However, the lefty turned heads June 15 by throwing a perfect game for the Crystal Lake Cardinals of the Metropolitan Collegiate Summer Baseball League.

Thus far, Copp is 2-0 during the summer. He’s struck out 23 batters and allowed one hit in helping the Cardinals to a 7-2 record and 3-1 league mark.