May 2, 2008

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois notched a 5-2 victory over Central Michigan Friday afternoon at Ralph McKinzie Field. Trevor Feeney yielded just one earned run over 8.1 innings and the Huskies (21-21, 12-7) took advantage of timely hitting and defensive miscues to get back to .500 for the first time since March 1.

"This was a good win for us," said head coach Ed Mathey. "We took advantage of some situations and we got some key hits when we needed them. Trevor threw an outstanding game and did a great job for us today. Defensively, we make some big plays, including a double play in the sixth that was absolutely crucial."

After Central Michigan struck for the first run of the game in the top of the first, the Huskies evened the score in the second on a double by Matt Behren (Elmwood Park, Ill./Holy Cross) that plated Danny Reed (Lindstrom, Minn./North Iowa Area CC), who had reached on a two-out walk.

With the game tied at one in the fourth and runners at second and third, a ball hit by Joe Buonavolanto (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale South) was misplayed at third and later in left, allowing both Dave Reynolds (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) and Behren to score for a 3-1 Huskie lead.

The Chippewas closed the gap to one in the fifth on a RBI single by Jeff Helps to make it 3-2.

In the bottom of the inning, NIU put two on base for Jeff Thomas (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem), who belted a pitch off the top of the fence down the right field line and legged out a triple to score Pat Minogue (Crystal Lake, Ill./Central) and Bobby Stevens (Chicago, Ill./Guerin Prep) to put the home team ahead 5-2.

The Huskies used a stellar defensive play in the sixth, a 6-4-3 double play turned by Stevens and Buonavolanto, to get out of a bases-loaded jam without yielding a run.

Feeney (Channahon, Ill./Joliet Catholic) evened his record at 4-4 and struck out five in the win. Andy Deain (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) recorded the final two outs to earn his sixth save of the season and third in his last three appearances.

Behren led the Huskies with two hits and tied his career-high with two doubles in the game while Thomas led the team with two RBI.

Dan Taylor (3-4) took the loss for Central Michigan (22-21, 9-9).

The Huskies and Chippewas resume the weekend series Saturday at 1 p.m.

HUSKIE TRACKS
-NIU's 12-7 conference record is one game better than last season's 19-game pace when the Huskies went on to a school-best 16 MAC wins.
-Justin Behm extended his career-long hitting streak to 14 games and Jeff Thomas upped his streak to nine games.
-Trevor Feeney has gone at least six innings in all seven MAC starts this season and 15 of his last 16 conference starts.
-Matt Behren's two doubles equaled his career-best total set March 11, 2007 vs. Long Island.
-Jordin Hood's career-long 15-game hitting streak came to end. It tied for the third-highest on record at NIU.

-NIU-