Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: photo by John Konstantaras
Jim Foster Announces 2023 Team Captains
2/14/2023 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Head Baseball Coach Jim Foster announced on Tuesday that the 2023 team captains will be senior Stephen Hrustich, as well as juniors David Utagawa and Vincent Bianchina.
Hrustich, a first baseman and catcher, becomes a captain while providing experience in the locker room. Over the last three years, Hrustich has appeared in 86 games for the Wildcats, starting 78. Hrustich's .799 OPS last season leads all returners for Northwestern, and he was one of just four Wildcats to hit double-digit home runs in 2022.
On the mound, Utagawa is named a captain as a right-handed reliever. Utagawa made 21 appearances last season, while starting five games. In his 36.1 innings pitched in 2022, Utagawa notched a 2-2 record, and helped contribute to a combined shutout victory with four scoreless innings in his start against Milwaukee.
Bianchina, an infielder, becomes captain after starting 46 games for the 'Cats in 2022. In his first two years in Evanston, Bianchina totaled 82 games played, second only to Anthony Calarco. Bianchina leads all qualified returners in batting average, as well as hits and runs.
Northwestern opens the 2023 season in San Marcos, TX on Friday, Feb. 17 against Texas State. The Wildcats will play a three-day series against the Bobcats, with the first pitch Friday, February 17, slated for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Hrustich, a first baseman and catcher, becomes a captain while providing experience in the locker room. Over the last three years, Hrustich has appeared in 86 games for the Wildcats, starting 78. Hrustich's .799 OPS last season leads all returners for Northwestern, and he was one of just four Wildcats to hit double-digit home runs in 2022.
On the mound, Utagawa is named a captain as a right-handed reliever. Utagawa made 21 appearances last season, while starting five games. In his 36.1 innings pitched in 2022, Utagawa notched a 2-2 record, and helped contribute to a combined shutout victory with four scoreless innings in his start against Milwaukee.
Bianchina, an infielder, becomes captain after starting 46 games for the 'Cats in 2022. In his first two years in Evanston, Bianchina totaled 82 games played, second only to Anthony Calarco. Bianchina leads all qualified returners in batting average, as well as hits and runs.
Northwestern opens the 2023 season in San Marcos, TX on Friday, Feb. 17 against Texas State. The Wildcats will play a three-day series against the Bobcats, with the first pitch Friday, February 17, slated for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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