June 6, 2012

DeKALB, Ill. - Former Northern Illinois pitcher Jake Hermsen (New London, Wis.) was drafted in the 28th round, 866th overall, by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft Wednesday afternoon. The southpaw hurler is the Huskies first draftee since 2008, when both Bobby Stevens (16th round, Baltimore Orioles) and Trevor Feeney (31st round, Detroit Tigers) were selected.

"It's a great day for Jake and Northern Illinois baseball," said Head Coach Ed Mathey, "regardless of what round it is, it's always a good thing to be drafted. It allows the opportunity to play professional baseball and Jake has a passion for that."

The New London, Wis. native is the ninth player to be drafted under Mathey, who just finished his 10th season at the helm of NIU baseball.

Hermsen, who closed his NIU career May 19 against Ball State, finished the 2012 season with a 3-8 record on the bump with an earned run average of 5.13. The lefty struck out 66 batters during the season in 86.0 innings pitched, both team-highs. On May 5, Hermsen struck out a career-high 11 batters against Central Michigan and also hurled the second complete game of his career.

In his first three seasons, Hermsen doubled as an outfielder as well, but entered the weekend pitching rotation as NIU's Saturday starter. He closed his career with an 8-12 record, 149 strikeouts, 106 walks and a career ERA of 6.89 in 175 innings of work. At the plate, Hermsen closed his career with .194 batting average, with four home runs, two doubles and 17 RBI.

He is the last Huskie pitcher to record two 10-plus strikeout games in his NIU career, doing so against Iowa April 21, 2010 as well. Hermsen dexterity was put to the test in 2012, posting 138 pitches in a 3-1 loss against Ohio April 7, striking out seven.

For more news and notes on NIU baseball, visit NIUHuskies.com or follow on Facebook (NIU Huskies) and Twitter (@NIUAthletics and @NIU_Baseball).

HUSKIES MLB DRAFT NOTES
Bobby Stevens (16th round, Baltimore Orioles) and Trevor Feeney (31st round, Detroit Tigers) were the last Huskies to be drafted in 2008 … RHP Trevor Wohlgemuth was the last Huskies to be drafted to the National League in 2004 (San Francisco Giants, 26th round) … Also in 2004, Zach Minor was the last LHP to be selected in the draft (25th round, Baltimore Orioles) … Head Coach Ed Mathey has had nine players drafted in his 10 seasons at NIU (5 pitchers) … All-time, Northern Illinois has had 23 players get drafted, 12 of which have been pitchers.