Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois
Wildcats Head to Champaign for Three-Game Series
4/18/2024 4:59:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern heads to Champaign this weekend for a three-game series against Illinois. All three games will be streamed on B1G+.
Probable Pitchers
Friday, 4/19 (6:00 p.m. CT): LHP Nolan Morr (1-4, 8.64 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Crowder (2-1, 5.36 ERA)
Saturday, 4/20 (4:00 p.m. CT): TBD vs. Cooper Omans (3-1, 3.96 ERA)
Sunday, 4/21 (1:00 p.m. CT): TBD vs. TBD
Maryland Recap
The Wildcats (12-20, 2-7 Big Ten) are coming off their first Big Ten series win of the season, winning the first two games of a three-game set against Maryland last weekend. To start off the series, Northwestern came from behind to secure a 10th inning 6-5 win on Friday. Bennett Markinson tied his career high of three hits to give the 'Cats leverage to pull away with a win. On Saturday, Northwestern dominated Maryland with an 11-1 victory. Kyle Potthoff led the team on the bump, recording five strikeouts while only allowing four hits and two walks. For the second time in the series, Northwestern would take a game to extras, but ultimately fell in the series finale 9-8 in 10 innings.
'Cat Stats
- Preston Knott has recorded multiple hits in seven consecutive games.
- Jackson Freeman has reached base safely in 30 of his first 32 collegiate games.
- Northwestern has hit nine home runs over its last four games.
- Northwestern leads the Big Ten and ranks 15th nationally in fielding percentage (0.979), committing just 24 errors on 810 putouts and 285 assists.
Scouting the Opposition
Illinois (20-13, 7-2 Big Ten) enters the series having won four straight. Last season, Northwestern claimed the series in Evanston, walking off the Illini for a 4-3 win on Friday, dropping Saturday's meeting 7-2 before claiming the rubber match 7-4 for the series victory. Northwestern is seeking their first series win in Champaign since 2021 when the 'Cats took two out of three to claim the series. Illinois currently leads the all-time series matchup 178-88-1 Jacob Schroeder leads the Fighting Illini in batting average (.372) and slugging percentage (.808).
Up Next
Following the series this weekend, Northwestern will return to Rocky and Berenice Miller Park to face Illinois State on Tuesday, April 23. The game will be streamed on B1G+ with a 3:30 p.m. CT start.
