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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Then-junior infielder Eric Erato swings at a pitch against the University of Illinois Chicago on April 25, 2023. Erato went 3-for-5 in NIU baseballs 6-1 victory over Ohio University on Sunday. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Shutdown pitching powers NIU to first MAC-series win since 2021

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | March 12, 2024

Behind a dominant start from redshirt sophomore pitcher Adam Brouwer, NIU baseball (5-11, 2-1 MAC) cruised to a 6-1 rubber match victory over the Ohio University Bobcats (5-8, 1-2 MAC) in its first series of conference play Sunday. After a doubleheader...

Senior infielder Aaron Harper throws a baseball to a teammate before NIU baseballs matchup with Louisiana State University. Harper recorded three hits in Game 2 of the Huskies doubleheader against Ohio University Friday. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)

Baseball splits doubleheader with Ohio, wins first MAC game of 2024

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 9, 2024

NIU baseball split a doubleheader against the University of Ohio Friday to open MAC play. With the win, the Huskies earned their first conference win of the 2024 season.  GAME 1  The Huskies’ offense provided early support for freshman pitcher...

Senior infielder Andre Demetral focuses on a throw during an NIU baseball game against Louisiana State University. Demetral recorded one hit in the Huskies 14-1 loss to the University of Cincinnati on Sunday. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)

Baseball bags ‘Boneyard Win’, drops 2 to Bearcats

By Zachary Bertram and Joseph Segreti | March 3, 2024

After falling to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (6-5) 6-5 on a walk-off hit by pitch in Game 1, NIU baseball (3-9) bounced back for a 6-4 win behind the best performance of freshman catcher Cooper Cohn’s young career in Game 2.  Despite allowing...

NIU then-junior first baseman Colin Summerhill (8) is declared safe after sliding into second base on a double in the bottom of the first inning on April 9, 2023. Summerhill blasted two home runs in a 13-5 loss against the University of Cincinnati on Friday. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Summerhill shines in baseball’s loss to Cincinnati

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 2, 2024

Senior outfielder and catcher Colin Summerhill drove in all five Huskies runs in NIU baseball’s (2-8) 13-5 loss to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (5-4).  Summerhill finished his day going 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs, including a two-run...

Senior catcher/outfielder Collin Summerhill eyes a pitch in an NIU baseball game against Louisiana State University Saturday. Summerhill recorded two hits against the University of Iowa on Tuesday, including an RBI triple in the eighth inning. (Courtesy of LSU Athletics)

Baseball falls to Iowa, leave 11 runners on base

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 27, 2024

NIU baseball (2-7) dropped its mid-week showdown versus the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (4-4) by a score of 14-6.  The Hawkeyes used a total of 10 pitchers in the contest, with their starting pitcher, sophomore pitcher Justin Hackett, only lasting...

NIU senior outfielder/catcher Colin Summerhill throws during Thursday’s 10-2 loss to then-second-ranked Louisiana State University at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Summerhill’s RBI double in the ninth inning of Saturday’s rematch helped the Huskies avoid a shutout in their 5-2 defeat to the third-ranked Tigers. (Courtesy of Jonathan Mailhes)

Baseball outhits No. 3 LSU in weekend finale

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | February 25, 2024

Despite playing under the sunny Saturday skies of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, NIU’s offense played eight innings of baseball as cold as the temperatures back home in DeKalb, Illinois. Trailing 5-0 with two hits entering the ninth inning, NIU baseball...

Then NIU junior catcher Colin Summerhill (8) slides into third base after hitting a triple on April 28, 2023 against University of Akron. Summerhill had 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBIs in a 14-4 win over Northwestern State University Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies ride first inning flurry in slaughter over Northwestern State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 24, 2024

NIU baseball (2-5) exploded for seven runs in the first inning, setting the tone early in a convincing 14-4 victory over the Northwestern State University Demons (2-4) Friday. Freshman pitcher Ty Brachbill spun a gem for the Huskies in his second career...

Then-sophomore pitcher Mason Ruh delivers a pitch to a Central Michigan University opponent on April 7, 2023. Ruh allowed seven runs on 10 hits in Game 2 of Thursdays doubleheader against Northwestern State University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball falls to No. 2 LSU and Northwestern State in doubleheader

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 23, 2024

NIU baseball was swept in its doubleheader to open its four-game weekend in Louisiana, losing to the defending National Champions in No. 2 Louisiana State University and Northwestern State University.    GAME 1 NIU’s short lived lead disappeared...

Then-sophomore infielder Christian Seegers scans the diamond during an NIU baseball home game against Central Michigan University on April 7, 2023. Seegers recorded two RBIs and a run scored in the Huskies 14-7 win over Abilene Christian University Sunday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

10-run inning powers NIU to first win of 2024 season

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 18, 2024

NIU baseball rode an offensive surge in the fourth inning to overtake Abilene Christian University 14-7 Sunday to avoid the sweep in the opening season series.  The Huskies’ early offensive showing proved to be enough, as they did not trail for...

Then redshirt-sophomore pitcher Matt Salomonson throws a pitch in an NIU baseball home game against Ohio University on Mar. 3, 2023. Salomonson gave up two runs on three hits in the Huskies third game against Abilene Christian University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball falls to Abilene Christian in first 3 games of 2024

By Zachary Bertram and Joseph Segreti | February 18, 2024

DeKALB – Poor pitching proved to be NIU baseball’s (0-3) downfall in a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Abilene Christian University Wildcats (3-0) on Friday to open up the 2024 season. The Huskies dropped Game 1 16-6 by slaughter rule in seven...

NIU then-junior right fielder Eric Erato (5) waits on deck to bat early in the baseball team’s game against Central Michigan University on April 7, 2023 at Owens Park. Erato and NIU baseball are set to start the 2024 season following a 10-43 finish to the 2023 season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Building a culture key for baseball ahead of 2024 season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – Coming off a 10-43 2023 campaign, NIU baseball looks to rebound in 2024 under new leadership. After nine years under former head coach Mike Kunigonis, Ryan Copeland is the newest head coach of the Huskies.  “Coming into a program where...

From left: Then-NIU junior catcher Colin Summerhill (8), then-junior shortstop Andre Demetral (1), then-redshirt sophomore pitcher Matt Salomonson (34), then-junior second baseman Aaron Harper (22) and then-junior first baseman Andrew Smart (27) approach the pitchers mound early into the Huskies’ game against Ohio University on March 24. New head coach Ryan Copeland announced 13 new recruits for the 2025 season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball announces 13 new recruits

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 27, 2023

NIU men’s baseball head coach Ryan Copeland announced 13 new signings for the 2025 season on Friday.  Eight of the new recruits are incoming freshmen, four of whom are from Illinois.  Catcher Conner Mendell and pitcher Carter Cox will both be...