Huskies' talented class is largest of Mathey's tenure with 11 signees
Nov. 16, 2009
“We are excited about this large group,” said Mathey. “With this year’s group of seniors that will be graduating, we will have some holes to fill. We feel this group will go a long way in doing that."
“Our coaches, Jocko [Steve Joslyn], Ray [Napientek], and Jason [Smith], worked very hard on this class and, along with the entire athletic department, did a great job in bringing these guys to the Northern Illinois Baseball program. These kids have tremendous character, great work ethic, are very good academically, and have a strong desire to bring MAC baseball titles to our campus.”
The talented group of future Huskies ranks as head coach Ed Mathey’s largest recruiting class during his tenure at Northern Illinois. The class, which is full of large, athletic frames of raw talent, is composed of eight players from the state of Illinois with one each from Arizona, Minnesota and Missouri.
“That (the size of the class) was due in part to the number of vacancies created,” said Mathey. “We want to have kids be able to get used to the college game as we refresh the roster. I also think it bodes well for NIU baseball when you have the quality and quantity of guys that we signed. It speaks well for our reputation and what we have to offer. I believe our fans and alumni will be excited and proud of this group as they progress through our program.”
Below are bios on each of the 11 signees including a scouting report from NIU coaching staff.
Eli Anderson
RHP
6-1, 200
Glenview, Ill./New Trier Township
High School Coach: Mike Napoleon
Anthony Andres
LHP/OF
6-0, 185
Western Springs, Ill./St. Rita of Cascia
High School Coach: Mike Zunica
Bo Andrews
RHP/OF
5-10, 180
Roscoe, Ill./Harlem
High School Coach: Doug Livingston
Joe Battaglia
C
6-2, 200
Westchester, Ill./St. Joseph
High School Coach: Jay Meath
Chris Divarco
IF
6-4, 218
Long Grove, Ill./Carmel Catholic
High School Coach: Joe May
Tom Keating
IF
6-3, 210
Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence
High School Coach: Pete Lotus
Alex Klonowski
RHP/IF
6-4, 170
Kearney, Mo./Kearney
High School Coach: Doug Starzl
Trey Lange
RHP/OF
6-2, 210
Mesa, Az./Skyline
High School Coach: Michael Johnson
Jordan Rishavy
OF
6-2, 195
Rochester, Minn./John Marshall/North Iowa Area C.C.
Junior College Coach: Todd Rima
High School Coach: Terry Heiderscheit
Kevin Sweeney
RHP/IF
6-2, 175
Chicago, Ill./Fenwick
High School Coach: Dave Hogan
Jeff Zimmerman
IF
6-3, 210
Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew
High School Coach: Dave DeHaan