Northwestern University’s baseball team is gearing up for the 2026 season with a renewed focus on securing a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. After finishing just one game short of qualification in 2025, Coach Ben Greenspan has made significant offseason acquisitions to enhance the team’s competitiveness. The Wildcats have brought in several young transfers from institutions such as UCLA, Clemson, and TCU, alongside seasoned players like graduate student infielder Noah Ruiz and graduate student left-hander Ryan Weaver.
The 2025 season marked one of Northwestern’s most successful years, highlighted by an impressive total of 73 home runs, surpassing the previous year’s tally by 21. This power surge was led by former infielder Trent Liolios and current infielder Ryan Kucherak, both of whom contributed significantly to the team’s offensive output. Liolios’ departure to Tulane leaves a noticeable gap, but the Wildcats appear prepared to fill this void. While Kucherak is anticipated to replicate his success, junior outfielder Jackson Freeman is another key player to watch. Freeman, who hit 11 home runs in his freshman year, saw a decrease in long balls last season, but his improved batting average and run batted in (RBI) totals indicate potential for a breakout year.
Freeman’s performance over the summer as a Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star further suggests he could be primed for a standout season. Additional candidates for power hitting include senior infielder Owen McElfatrick and senior outfielder Jack Lausch, but the addition of Ruiz, who recorded 20 home runs while playing at Division II Biola, is particularly notable. His experience is expected to bolster the Wildcats’ defense significantly.
On the pitching front, Northwestern faces challenges with the loss of key contributors Crawford Wade and Blake MacMillan. Nonetheless, the Wildcats retain their standout pitcher from last season, graduate student right-hander Sam Hliboki, who is returning for his seventh year in collegiate baseball. The team is also counting on sophomore pitchers Matt Kouser and Christian Forniss, both of whom showed promise during their freshman campaigns. The status of junior right-hander Garrett Shearer, who suffered a season-ending injury last year, remains uncertain.
To further strengthen the pitching staff, Northwestern has acquired several new arms through the transfer portal, including sophomore right-hander Tommy Bridges. Despite not playing in his first season at TCU, Bridges had an impressive summer in the West Coast League, where he pitched 39.1 innings with a notable 1.83 ERA. His potential emergence as a reliable asset out of the bullpen is a development that Coach Greenspan will be keenly observing.
The Wildcats will also benefit from favorable scheduling, facing conference rivals such as Michigan State, Purdue, Minnesota, and Rutgers, who collectively recorded a 49-71 record in conference play last season. With a roster filled with young talent and experienced players, Northwestern’s aspirations for a successful tournament push appear within reach.
The 2026 campaign kicks off on Friday, March 15, 2026, with a weekend series against Rice University in Houston. Northwestern aims to improve upon last season’s opening day performance, where they suffered a loss to Long Beach State. As the Wildcats prepare for their season opener, the combination of new talent and returning players sets the stage for what could be an exciting year ahead.
