Baseball is a game. This is a fact that people sometimes find it hard to remember.

Now that first year head coach Ed Mathey has restored life in the players, the NIU baseball team is remembering this.

“Baseball is supposed to be a fun game,” senior Dan Urban said. “We’re all really excited about coach Mathey and what he brings.”

Mathey comes to NIU from North Central College in Naperville. He produced a 205-171-2 mark at the Division III school over the past nine seasons.

“I love it here,” Mathey said about his short stint thus far at NIU. “I was at a Division III level and the kids out there were great kids. I wasn’t sure exactly what was going to be ahead of me here, Division I, MAC conference, scholarships. These guys are great guys. I’m really pleased to be here.”

Openings in the outfield

With the graduation and subsequent loss of starting outfielders Pat Kerrigan and Noel Danielson there are two starting positions up for grabs.

Kerrigan led the Huskies in home runs (10) and was second in RBIs (45) last season. Danielson led the team in hits (66), total bases (102), and doubles (16), while hitting at a .342 clip.

The only returning outfielder is left fielder Urban.

Probable replacements are Mike Santoro, who saw limited time in the outfield last season, and speedster Mike Brown, who might be a perfect fit to roam the center field grass of McKenzie Field.

“There are a few openings for some new guys to step up,” Urban said. “A lot of guys had a good fall season. I think there will be some surprises, but we’ll have to wait until spring to see.”

October Baseball

On Sunday, the Huskies ended their fall league after two weeks of practice and scrimmages.

Mathey now has an idea of what to look for when the spring season begins.

“There are some new players, but there’s a core of kids back that really set the tone out here,” Mathey said. “They’ve been out here ready to compete, ready to get a little bit better. The enthusiasm level has been high and they’ve really taken into everything we’ve brought to the table here that’s a little different than what they’ve been used to. If we continue that, it’s going to bode well for all of us.”

New faces, new attitudes

With plenty of incoming freshmen and transfer students, NIU has high hopes for the upcoming season.

Creighton transfer Joe Mazzuca, who has been at three schools and played for four coaches, believes he can bring experience and leadership to his new teammates.

Mazzuca transferred to NIU a year ago, but was forced to sit out due to NCAA violations.

“I’ve been around three different schools now and seen how players respond to different coaches,” Mazzuca said. “If I could relay my past experiences to the guys about what works, it will help. My experience will hopefully be a great tool to help the team.”