Oct. 8, 2012

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois Huskie baseball team will host their annual Red and Black Fall Baseball Series, beginning Tuesday Oct. 9, at Ralph McKinzie Field at 3 p.m. The Huskies will play Oct. 14 and again on Oct. 21, both starting at noon.



The Huskies have 15 newcomers to this year's team and 15 returning letter winners from the 2012 squad. Northern Illinois lost eight seniors to graduation at the conclusion of Spring 2012, including former All-Mid American players Alex Jones (shortstop), Tony Manville (pitcher) and Troy White (third base).

Senior Jamison Wells and juniors Alex Klonowski and Jeff Zimmerman are three of NIU's main returners from 2012. Zimmerman, a former Freshman All-American by The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, was named a top-50 professional prospect in the Northwoods League by Perfect Game USA. The Tinley Park native set the Madison Mallards record for RBI in a season, 57, and tied the record for home runs, 13, with teammate Tyler Marincov of North Florida.

Wells, a native of Kimberly, Wis., enters the season with 64 stolen bases in his career and only eight shy of breaking Alvin Maynard's mark of 71 set in 1979 and 1980. Wells will not play in the series as he is a member of the Northern Illinois football team as well, starting at slot receiver. Klonowski, a utility player from Kearney, Mo., was one of the Huskies top players at the plate, on the field and on the mound. He finished the season with 30 RBI, 11 doubles, a .283 average and a 3-1 record on the mound.

The Huskies 2013 spring schedule will be released soon, as game times are currently being finalized. The series schedule and rosters for both the Red and Black are listed below.



October 9, 2012

Game 1: 3 p.m.



October 14, 2012

Game 2: Noon



October 21, 2012

Game 3: Noon