All-MAC Honors Reflect a Turnaround
Northern Illinois University announced that four of its players have been selected to the Mid-American Conference’s All-MAC teams, a distinction that underscores the program’s rapid ascent. The selections come as the Huskies enjoy a 10‑win increase over the previous season and set a new school record for conference victories.
Right‑hander Max Vaisvila earned the league’s First Team honors, marking the first time an NIU pitcher has been named to the All-MAC First Team since 2013. Vaisvila tops the conference with a 3.36 earned run average and a 4.06 strikeout‑to‑walk ratio, and he logged a career‑high 75 innings while striking out 73 batters.
Vaisvila’s dominance was highlighted by a complete‑game, one‑hit shutout against Bowling Green that produced a 5‑0 victory. The performance earned him both MAC Co‑Pitcher of the Week and National Pitcher of the Week accolades, and his starts this season resulted in a 12‑1 record for the Huskies.
Outfielders Cole Smith and Caden Robertson were placed on the Second Team. Smith leads the team with a .359 batting average and tops the conference with 16 doubles, while Robertson paces the Huskies with 14 home runs and 55 runs batted in.
Infielder Danny Cihocki received All‑Defensive Team recognition, reflecting the squad’s overall defensive improvement. The team posted a .978 fielding percentage this year, one of the highest marks in program history.
Looking Ahead to the MAC Tournament
With a final regular‑season record of 31‑17 and a program‑best 21‑12 conference slate, the Huskies enter the MAC Tournament as a top seed. Their first matchup is scheduled for Wednesday, and the coaching staff believes the recent accolades will translate into heightened confidence on the field.
Coach Ryan Copeland praised the collective effort that led to the honors, noting that the recognition reflects not only individual excellence but also the depth of talent across the roster. He highlighted contributions from teammates such as Eli Anderson, Alex Klonowski and Blake Gaskey, who have helped shape a competitive and cohesive unit.