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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

Junior catcher Colin Summerhill (left) approaches NIU Baseball Head Coach Mike Kunigonis in the dugout during the teams game against Toledo Sunday at Ralph McKinzie Field. The game was Kunigonis last as a head coach at NIU, after his contract was not renewed and he was relieved from his position. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Kunigonis out as head baseball coach

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | May 8, 2023

DeKALB – NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean Frazier announced Sunday that head coach Mike Kunigonis’ contract will not be renewed and has been relieved of coaching duties, effective immediately.  The announcement comes after the...

NIU junior catcher Colin Summerhill (8) slides into third base after hitting a triple on Friday against Akron. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Zips sweep doubleheader, series with Huskies

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | April 30, 2023

DeKALB – NIU baseball (7-35, 4-16 MAC) dropped both games of a doubleheader against the University of Akron Zips (17-27, 9-15 MAC). NIU pitching continued to struggle as they lost Game 1 11-9 and lost Game 2 8-4 for its 10th and 11th consecutive losses.  GAME...

Sophomore outfielder Nick Drobushevich makes a sliding catch during NIUs Feb. 15 game against Boston College University in Winter Haven, Florida.

Experienced baseball team ready to compete for MAC Championship

By Matt Boecker | February 19, 2020

Sophomore outfielder Nick Drobushevich makes a sliding catch during NIU's Feb. 15 game against Boston College University in Winter Haven, Florida.

Baseball team travels to Florida to fight common enemy with Boston College

Baseball team travels to Florida to fight “common enemy” with Boston College

By Jemea Green | February 12, 2020

DeKALB — The baseball team will travel to Winter Haven, Florida to face the Boston College University Eagles and raise awareness of ALS during this weekend’s matchup.Pete Frates, who promoted the ice bucket challenge, was a mutual friend of both head...

No rest for NIU baseball

By Northern Star Staff | June 25, 2018

The grind continues over the summer for the NIU baseball team and their players, as several players will be joining teams across the nation in summer collegiate leagues.13 players will be joining six different teams and five different leagues for a chance...

Junior pitcher Tanner Foster throws pitch in the Huskies 6-3 home loss Friday against the University of Toledo Rockets. 

Pitcher finds role with baseball team

By Roland Hacker | May 7, 2018

Junior pitcher Tanner Foster throws pitch in the Huskies' 6-3 home loss Friday against the University of Toledo Rockets. 

The Huskies closed its final home stand with two losses to the University of Toledo Rockets.

Huskies drop final home series

By Roland Hacker | May 7, 2018

The Huskies closed its final home stand with two losses to the University of Toledo Rockets.

Baseball: a lifelong passion for NIU infielder

By Eddie Garcia | May 7, 2018

A 3-year-old walked up to the plate for the first time in his little league career wearing his father’s cleats, which were three sizes too big, and smacked a double on the first pitch he saw.Maribel Reyes, mother of senior baseball infielder Samuel...

Senior pitcher George Faue delivers a pitch Tuesday in the Huskies’ 10-7 home win against Valparaiso. 

Baseball goes 1-1 in weekday action

By James Krause | May 3, 2018

Senior pitcher George Faue delivers a pitch Tuesday in the Huskies’ 10-7 home win against Valparaiso. 

Baseball loses big on road

By Roland Hacker | April 30, 2018

DeKALB — The baseball team was swept in a three-game series this weekend by the Ball State University Cardinals.The Cardinals got walk-off wins in two games of the series but blew out the Huskies Saturday with a score of 11-0.“We were legitimately...

Baseball handles weekday action

Baseball handles weekday action

By James Krause | April 26, 2018

DeKALB — A hitting explosion gave the baseball team (11-20, 3-6 Mid-American Conference) a pair of wins Tuesday and Wednesday at Ralph McKinzie Field.

The Huskies beat the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames 10-5 Tuesday with a season-high 15 hits, followed by a win over the Trinity Christian College Trolls 6-1 Wednesday where they matched that season high with another 15 hits.

Head Coach Mike Kunigonis said the hitting performance of his team over the week is something it has been capable of all year, and it is reaching peak performance.

“It’s nice to see the bats coming together,” Kunigonis said. “This is the offensive team we’ve known we had since last September, and we’re really starting to hit our stride.”

Tuesday — Huskies 10, Flames 5

The Huskies scored their first three runs in the bottom of the second inning, including a steal at home by freshman designated hitter Connor Montgomery, but UIC tied it up in the top of the third.

Then came an offensive explosion for the Huskies as they scored four runs in the bottom half of the third, including a two-run single by redshirt sophomore outfielder Josh Mutter and an RBI single off the bat of senior infielder Samuel Vega. At the end of the third, the Huskies led 7-3.

Mutter stuck another blow to the Flames in the bottom of the seventh inning, gathering another two-run single for the Huskies in a three-run inning to put them up 10-3. Mutter’s four RBIs led the team Tuesday, while Vega led in hits going 3-for-5.

Sophomore pitcher Blake Walker got the start for the Huskies, going three innings and giving up two earned runs while also committing two errors on attempted pickoffs.

Redshirt freshman Parker Kirkpatrick was the NIU pitcher credited with the win, pitching a shutout four innings of relief with two strikeouts. With the win, the Huskies claim the season series with the Flames 2-1.

“Parker has been doing a good job,” Kunigonis said. “He’s a guy we rely on to throw strikes when we need to.”

Wednesday — Huskies 6, Trolls 1

The scoring got started in the bottom of the first inning with a single from sophomore catcher Jake Dunham, bringing home the first run.

Mutter hit in the second run for NIU on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the second inning, afterby a two RBI single by redshirt freshman outfielder Kam Smith to put the Huskies up 4-0 in the third.

The Huskies piled on to the scoring when sophomore infielder Tommy Szczasny and Dunham each brought in a run in the fourth inning. Dunham finished with a game-high three hits to go with his two RBIs.

Trinity Christian had to contend with junior starting pitcher William Anderson, who pitched six innings and gave up one run in his second start of the season.

“[Anderson] has been working really hard to get back to where he has been in the past,” Kunigonis said. “He’s had a couple tough outings and he bounced back today. He needed this and we needed this.”

The Huskie’s bullpen also kept the Trolls busy to close the game out. Senior George Faue, sophomore Nate Thomas and redshirt senior Andrew Frankenreider each pitched a hitless inning of relief for the Huskies to seal the victory.

The Huskies will travel to resume MAC play in a three-game series against the Kent State Golden Flashes starting 5 p.m Friday in Kent, Ohio.

Baseball takes home series over Miami

By Roland Hacker | April 23, 2018

DeKALB — The baseball team won two of its three games in a series with the University of Miami RedHawks over the weekend at Ralph McKinzie Field in DeKalb.Junior pitcher Tanner Foster and freshman pitcher Michael Lasiewicz both had strong outings for...