Matt Tarr has become NIU’s late-inning strikeout hammer in 2026
In the 2026 season, Matt Tarr has been a high-leverage bullpen weapon for Northern Illinois, going 2-1 with 4 saves, 34 strikeouts in 25.2 innings, and a 24-appearance workhorse profile that screams trust from the staff. He’s not just getting outs—he’s missing bats at a loud rate, with multiple clutch save moments in tight games, including a four-strikeout ninth at UIC. Add in his 3.634 GPA and prior experience at Purdue, and you get a steady, competitive, strike-throwing reliever who looks like a smart fit for teams that value toughness and late-game nerves.
