Northern Illinois baseball inks eight preps, plus Kishwaukee's Toner

DeKALB - Northern Illinois University head baseball coach Ed Mathey announced the signing of nine baseball prospects - eight from Illinois and one Minnesota native - to National Letters of Intent on Monday to play baseball for the Huskies beginning with the 2005 season. NIU head coach Ed Mathey gained a trio of right-handed pitchers and a pair of lefties in addition to adding three outfielders and a switch-hitting catcher. The right-handers include Dave Nykiel, from Tinley Park Andrew High School; Brent Scarpetta, from Rockton-Honengah High School; and Trevor Feeney, from Joliet Catholic High School. The southpaws are Matt Jernstad from Oswego High School and Mike Eggert from Lake Elmo, Minn., and Mahtomedi High School. The outfield acquisi