Northwestern
#17 Duke
Wildcats Travel to No. 17 Duke for Three-Game Series
2/27/2025 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern looks to build on its best start since 2003 when it travels to No. 17 Duke for a three-game series this weekend.
Probable Pitchers
Friday, 2/28: Duke - LHP Kyle Johnson vs. NU - LHP Crawford Wade
Saturday, 3/1: Duke - RHP Ryan Higgins vs. NU - RHP Garrett Shearer
Sunday, 3/2: Duke - LHP James Tallon vs. NU - RHP Matthew Kouser
First pitch from Jack Coombs Field is set for 3 p.m. CT on Friday. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Sunday's finale is slated for 12 p.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on ACCNX.
Last weekend, Northwestern posted a 3-1 record at the USA Baseball National Training Complex to improve to 5-2 overall, its best start through seven games since 2003. From February 15-23, Northwestern won five straight games, its longest winning streak since March 13-27, 2022 (seven). The last time Northwestern won 5+ straight away from home was March 16-21, 1996 (six).
Over four games in Cary, NU starting pitching posted a 1.88 ERA in 24.0 innings pitched. In its first seven games, Northwestern's pitching staff has held opponents to four or fewer hits on four occasions, its most in a full season since 2019.
LHP Crawford Wade was sensational last weekend against Harvard. In 7.0 scoreless innings of work, Wade struck out nine, walking one, hitting one batter, and allowing just one hit. Wade's nine strikeouts are the most by a Northwestern pitcher in a game since LHP Sam Garewal struck out 10 on May 13, 2023 at Michigan.
Over his first two starts this season, RHP Garrett Shearer totaled 13.0 innings pitched, nine strikeouts, and two wins, while allowing just seven hits, three earned runs, and two walks, and posting a 2.08 ERA. Opposing hitters are hitting just .167 against Shearer in 2025. Against Long Beach State, Shearer allowed two runs on three hits in 6.0 IP, striking out six and earning the win. Against Fordham, Shearer posted a 7.0 inning complete game, allowing one earned run on four hits, striking out six.
After an outstanding debut in a 4-3 win at LBSU, RHP Matthew Kouser was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Kouser earned the win in his first collegiate start, surrendering just 1 ER on 2 hits, 4 BBs, and 1 HBP in 6.0 IP. Against Fordham, Kouser earned the win in 6.0 IP, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and 1 BB, striking out 3.
In Sunday's doubleheader vs. Fordham, C Bennett Markinson went 3-for-7 with three homers, seven RBI, four runs, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Markinson became the first Wildcat backstop to homer twice in the same game Michael Trautwein on May 23, 2021, against Iowa.
No. 17 Duke enters the weekend at 4-5 overall. Last season, the Blue Devils captured the 2024 ACC Tournament Championship, earning a bid as the No. 2 seed in the Norman Regional. Four Blue Devils (David Boisvert, AJ Gracia, Kyle Johnson, and Ben Miller) earned preseason All-American honors.
Northwestern will wrap up its early season non-conference road swing with a four-game series at The Citadel. Friday's opener from Charleston is set for 5 p.m. CT before a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. CT. Sunday's game is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
