Recent Northern Illinois University graduate Nate Thomas (Mishawaka, Ind./South Bend St. Joseph) signed a professional contract with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League baseball team.
Thomas finished his Northern Illinois career fifth in program history in strikeouts per nine innings at 8.80. He is ninth all-time in career strikeouts with 177 in 181.2 career innings pitched. Thomas had at least 35 strikeouts in four of his five seasons in DeKalb with a career-high 41 in 2019.
In that 2019 season, Thomas had a 4-2 record as a relief pitcher with five saves. He allowed just five extra-base hits in 34.2 innings with just one home run allowed. In his freshman season of 2017, Thomas struck out 40 batters in a 45.1 innings with a 4-4 won-loss record.
Last season, Thomas collected 35 strikeouts in 38 innings over 13 appearances. He earned the save in the Huskies’ 2-1 victory at Kent State March 20.
Thomas is the second Huskie to sign a professional contract this Summer. First baseman Jordan Larson (Dodgeville, Wis./College of DuPage) signed with the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds of the Empire Baseball League last month and was named an all-star.
—Northern Illinois University