Although the history books will show a languid record of 13-31, the positive aspects of the season were independent of wins and losses. Nearly 70% of the team's total wins came against teams with a higher end-of-season RPI ranking, including a pair of wins over #96 UNC Wilmington. The pitching staff allowed the fewest home runs in the conference and ranked in the top 100 nationally in ERA (99th, 5.37, fourth-best in the CAA), strikeouts per game (74th, 7.4) and hits allowed per game (91st, 10).
There were plenty of opportunities for the coaches and upperclassmen to foster the youth, helping set the stage for the future--eight true freshmen and three redshirts from 2009 earned playing time this season, six of whom started 10 games or more. The Huskies also landed three players on All-CAA teams this season, including a first-team nomination and an All-Rookie spot.
The year had a promising beginning, with six wins over the first nine games and losses to strong squads from Kansas State (36-20 final record, RPI 39, NCAA tournament qualifier), Bowling Green (31-23) and Villanova (29-23). All the gears were clicking into place as NU was getting major contributions from upperclassmen and newcomers alike. Over those nine contests, seven players were batting over .300, including three freshmen. Senior Tony DiCesare was mashing at a .421 clip with six doubles, a triple and home run in just 38 at-bats after an injury-plagued 2009. The pitchers were holding their own with a 4.22 ERA thanks to strong performances from junior Les Williams and freshman Kevin Ferguson, who each won CAA Pitcher of the Week honors. Williams dominated Bryant on March 19, allowing just an infield single over eight innings, while Ferguson stymied St. Bonaventure with eight strikeouts and two hits over six innings in his first collegiate appearance.
But the non-conference schedule hit some bumps along the way, as the Huskies suffered through poor weather and long breaks between games. The beginning of CAA play came after just 11 games, whereas NU's first CAA opponent, VCU, already had 20 games under its belt. The Huskies, after starting the season with a 6-3 mark, dropped 11 consecutive games, six of which were decided by three runs or less.
A victory in the first round of the Beanpot tournament halted the skid, but at that point, NU was still establishing an identity while other teams were bustling along. The Huskies managed to get five wins in conference play, including two in one day over UNC Wilmington, and two games out of three against Old Dominion.
The force behind most of NU's wins was the pitching, particularly that of the starters. Williams, who pitched in the first game of every conference series, finished the season with a 3.77 ERA, good for sixth best among regular starters in the CAA. Behind him was Andrew Leenhouts, who was one of the best strikeout pitchers in the nation. Leenhouts dealt 88 punchouts in 71-2/3 innings, earning a strikeouts-per-nine innings rate of 11.11, which was 15th best in the NCAA and tops among starters in the conference. He also held a 3.14 ERA, fourth best among CAA starters.
Rounding out the rotation for the majority of the season was senior Charly Bashara, who wrapped up his career for the Huskies with a handful of gritty starts and numbers that didn't match his results. Bashara earned just one win on the season, which came in the first game of the year in a relief appearance. He made six starts and kept NU close in all of them, mixing deft pitches with solid command. He had a K:BB ratio of 53:18 and tacked on two saves while he was working out of the bullpen.
The Huskies got good pitching performances from their mid-week starters and relief men, including five starts each out of Brandon McNelis and JT Ross, four starts out of Ferguson and a couple of spot starts from freshman Chris Carmain, who tied for the team lead in appearances (16) and saves (2). Michael Murphy and Dylan Maki were reliable arms out of the bullpen, and sixth-year journeyman Dan Zehr guided the Huskies through some high-pressure situations. Zehr was often the victim of botched defense, as two of his losses came in efforts where he didn't allow any earned runs.
Offensively, the Huskies had a few good numbers to hang their hats on. Sophomore Matt Miller led off every game this season, setting the table for those behind him by leading the team in average (.320), hits (57), runs (36) and walks (20). DiCesare led the team in doubles (13), triples (7) and slugging percentage (.506), earning a spot on the All-CAA third team as an outfielder. His seven triples were the most in the regular season among CAA competitors and bumped his career total to 14, which is the most of any Husky baseball player of all time.
Senior Frank Compagnone also chipped in with the bat, finishing the season on a 13-game hitting streak and pushing his average to .303. He led the team in home runs (3) and RBI (41). Another solid contributor was redshirt freshman John Puttress, who tore up conference play and earned a selection to the CAA All-Rookie team. True freshman Jon Leroux batted .299 in 32 games and led NU with a .415 on-base percentage.
Seniors Brendan Stokes and David Gustafson wrapped up their careers with the Huskies by producing in their opportunities. Stokes earned 30 hits in 38 games, and Gustafson (who suffered an injury in the first game of the year that sidelined him for a month) finished with 29 hits in 33 games, including nine that went for extra bases
Northeastern graduates seven seniors, three of which comprised the starting outfield. The Huskies will welcome back this year's freshmen, who are itching to get back into the game with a collegiate season under their belt. Head coach Neil McPhee and the Kent St. canines will be back in action next February. Check back on GoNU.com for any and all baseball information as the summer progresses.
