Fresh off a MAC title and eleven losing seasons, the Huskies bring a scorching four-game win streak and ace Max Vaisvilla to Tallahassee for a historic postseason run.
The No. 3 seed in the Tallahassee regional, the Northern Illinois Huskies (35-17, 21-12 in MAC), come to the Sunshine State as first-time champions of the MAC.
The Huskies are currently on a four-game winning streak, and will face off against Coastal Carolina in game 2 of the Tallahassee regional on Friday night. It is only their second appearance in the NCAA tournament in school history. Before this season, Northern Illinois posted 11 straight losing seasons.
Northern Illinois currently has four players hitting .300 or better, and two that have recorded double-digit home runs:
- Wyatt Wawro: .374 average, .978 OPS
- Cole Smith: .364 average, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 1.025 OPS
- Marcus Romero: .338 average, .911 OPS
- Nolan Sandee: .300 average, 11 doubles, 10-for-10 on stolen bases
- Caden Robertson: .282 average, 14 HR, 58 RBI (4th in MAC)
- Gavin Baldwin: .268 average, 15 HR (4th in MAC), 57 RBI
On the mound, the Huskies ace is Max Vaisvilla, who has a 3.04 ERA, which is second in the MAC. He is undefeated at 8-0 and has 85 strikeouts vs. 19 walks. With a WHIP of 1.02, Vaisvilla allows opponents to bat just .220 against him. During their four-game winning streak, the Huskies pitching staff combined for 45 strikeouts.
Northern Illinois makes very few errors in the field, as they led the MAC in fielding percentage at .979.
The Huskies and their host, No. 10 national seed Florida State (38-17, 19-11 in ACC), have only met once in the history of the two programs, a 7-1 victory by the Seminoles in 1971. A rematch could be waiting in the wings, 55 years in the making.
If Northern Illinois can get past No. 2 seed Coastal Carolina and get that long awaited rematch with Florida State, the Seminoles will counter with some serious talent of their own. Wes Mendes, the ACC Pitcher of the Year, will get the start in their game 1. Mendes boasts a 2.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 117 strikeouts, and allows opponents a .209 batting average against him.
At the plate, reliable hitters like Ben Barrett (.370), Brody DeLamielleure (.344), Brayden Dowd (10 HR, 12 doubles), Hunter Carns (.311), and John Stuetzer (41 RBI) will be tough outs for St. John’s, Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois.
It has been reported that ace reliever John Abraham could see some action this weekend. However, head coach Link Jarrett and pitching coach Micah Posey will have Abraham on a strict pitch count. He missed the final series of the season with Miami.
The winner of the Tallahassee regional will take on the winner of the Tuscaloosa regional in the super regional.
How to Watch NIU vs. Coastal Carolina
Date: Friday, May 29
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Dick Howser Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
TV: ESPN+
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