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Bowling Green Today
By the People, for the People
NIU Pitcher Vaisvila Earns National Accolades
Senior hurler dominates Bowling Green with second straight complete game gem
Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:07am
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After holding Bowling Green State University to just one hit in his second consecutive complete game, senior pitcher Max Vaisvila has earned national recognition from multiple outlets, including being named the Mid-American Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week. Vaisvila threw the second-most single-game strikeouts in NIU history and now sits first in the MAC with 50 strikeouts on the season.
Why it matters
Vaisvila's dominant performances have put him on the national radar, showcasing the talent and depth of the Northern Illinois baseball program. His success could lead to increased exposure and recruitment opportunities for the Huskies, as well as boost their chances of making a deep postseason run.
The details
In the shutout against Bowling Green, Vaisvila was given a Bill James game score of 98, starting at a base score of 50. For comparison, former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle's perfect game in 2009 was given a score of 93, while Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game in 1998 was given a score of 105. D1Baseball ranked Vaisvila's game as the best pitching performance on Saturday, as well as of the week. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and College Baseball Hall of Fame also named him the National Pitcher of the Week. Vaisvila was also named to Baseball America's Team of the Week and was No. 2 on 64Analytics Top 10 Division I Pitchers of the Week list.
- Vaisvila threw the complete game shutout against Bowling Green on April 1, 2026.
The players
Max Vaisvila
A senior pitcher for the Northern Illinois University baseball team who is 5-0 on the season and leads the Mid-American Conference with 50 strikeouts.
Bowling Green State University
The opponent that Vaisvila held to just one hit in his complete game shutout.
What’s next
Vaisvila will look to continue his strong start to the season as Northern Illinois pushes for a Mid-American Conference championship and NCAA tournament berth.
The takeaway
Max Vaisvila's back-to-back complete game gems have earned him national recognition and cemented his status as one of the top pitchers in college baseball. His success is a testament to the strength of the Northern Illinois baseball program and could open new doors for the team's postseason aspirations.
