Even though the collegiate baseball season ended four months ago for the NIU baseball team, it hasn’t stopped playing.

The fall season ended on Monday, concluding six weeks of intrasquad play. NIU coach Dave Schrage said a lot was discovered about the team through the past few weeks.

“We looked really good,” said Schrage. “We have created some good depth on our club, and have added some speed and power. The pitching staff is very young and inexperienced though.”

Huskies in the Outfield: NIU boasted a talented outfield last season that remains intact for the upcoming year.

The crew is led by center fielder Noel Danielson who was Second Team All Mid-American Conference a year ago. He led the team a year ago in average .374, runs 64 and hits 76. Danielson set school records in both hits and runs scored.

Right fielder Pat Kerrigan returns as one of the teams more potent hitters, after finishing last season with a new school record 53 RBIs. He also added seven home runs which led the team, and posted an impressive .335 average. Kerrigan is on pace to finish his career the all time leader in games played, at-bats, and runs batted in.

Dan Urban should come into this season ready to improve his already stellar numbers, as he ended his football career, leaving baseball as his main sports priority. Last season the Huskie left fielder led the team in doubles with 22, which was second in the conference.

New talent awaits: After attaining players like Danieleson from community college, and shortstop Trevor Stocking as a freshman, the Huskies are excited to welcome more new talent this season.

“Josh Owens, a transfer student from Indiana State, will help us out,” said Schrage. “Also, we’ve added Mike Santoro from Creighton. He hit nine home runs in the fall league. Greg Larson will also help us this season after redshirting last year.”

In the pitching department, Max Sulzberger, a Parklin Junior College transfer, should come in this season and contribute as the team’s new closer.

Pitching is at a premium: The Huskies come into this season, like every other college team, looking for pitching, but coach Schrage is happy that he has Sulzberger and talent from last season to help this staff.

“We are returning a few key pitchers from a year ago,” said Schrage. “We have Zach Minor and Stephen Ayers back, which should be good because they have some experience. Also, Nathan Stillwell threw a lot of innings. Travis Smith is coming back, and he’s had the best fall of any of our pitchers.”