Coastal Carolina features a potent offense that ranks second in the Sun Belt with 112 stolen bases and fourth with 407 runs.
Sophomore outfielder Rex Watson leads the Chanticleers with 64 RBIs and 12 home runs.
Senior closer Darin Horn anchors the bullpen with a 7-1 record, seven saves, and 90 strikeouts in 65.1 innings.
Coastal Carolina also leads the Sun Belt with 135 hit-by-pitches and 68 sacrifice hits.
Northern Illinois posted a 1.80 ERA during the MAC Tournament, striking out 45 batters in 40 innings.
Vaisvila pitched eight innings during the tournament, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 against Western Michigan.
Head coach Ryan Copeland expressed pride in his team's resilience. "I'm so proud of them for dealing with the adversity we've faced this year," Copeland said.
"We played our best baseball when it matters most."
Copeland took over the Huskies program in June 2023 following a 10-43 season.
Under his leadership, the team won 21 games in each of his first two seasons before breaking the school wins record this year.
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The Huskies are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1972. The winner of Friday's game will advance to face either Florida State or St. John's on Saturday.
