Northwestern University is gearing up for the upcoming baseball season with an eye on returning to the Big Ten Tournament after a promising 2025 campaign. The Wildcats, who finished just shy of the tournament last year, have made strategic offseason acquisitions to strengthen their roster and enhance their competitive edge.
Coach Ben Greenspan has welcomed young transfers from notable programs such as UCLA, Clemson, and TCU. Experienced players, including graduate student infielder Noah Ruiz and graduate student left-hander Ryan Weaver, are set to bolster a squad that showed significant potential last season.
In 2025, Northwestern achieved one of its best seasons recently, driven by a remarkable power-hitting performance. The team set a program record with 73 home runs, surpassing the previous year’s total by 21. This offensive firepower was led by former infielder Trent Liolios and current infielder Ryan Kucherak, both of whom hit double-digit home runs. Though Liolios has transferred to Tulane, the Wildcats are confident in their ability to fill the void. Kucherak is expected to be a key contributor, having previously set a program record with 18 home runs.
Another player to watch is junior outfielder Jackson Freeman. After making a splash with 11 home runs in his freshman year and earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Freeman’s offensive production dipped last season. However, his performance over the summer, where he was named a Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star, suggests he may be poised for a breakout year.
The Wildcats are also counting on senior infielder Owen McElfatrick and senior outfielder Jack Lausch to provide additional offensive support. The addition of Ruiz, who hit 20 home runs at Division II Biola in 2025, is particularly exciting, as he is expected to play a vital role in both the offense and defense of the team.
On the pitching front, Northwestern faces challenges following the departures of key pitchers Crawford Wade and Blake MacMillan. Nonetheless, the team retains graduate student right-hander Sam Hliboki, who is back for his seventh year of collegiate baseball. Sophomore pitchers Matt Kouser and Christian Forniss are also anticipated to play pivotal roles after their encouraging performances last season.
The availability of junior right-hander Garrett Shearer remains uncertain, as he missed the prior season due to injury. To further strengthen the pitching staff, Northwestern has recruited several players from the transfer portal, including sophomore right-hander Tommy Bridges, who did not play in his first year at TCU but showcased his skills with a 1.83 ERA over 39.1 innings in the West Coast League.
The Wildcats have a favorable schedule ahead, facing teams such as Michigan State, Purdue, Minnesota, and Rutgers, who collectively posted a 49-71 record in conference games last season. With a blend of young talent and experienced players, Northwestern’s aspirations for a successful season appear within reach.
The Wildcats will kick off their campaign on Friday with a series against Rice University in Houston. This matchup presents an opportunity for Northwestern to improve upon last season’s opening day loss to Long Beach State. As the team prepares for the season ahead, the anticipation among players and fans alike is palpable.
