Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Add Midweek Matchup at UIC
3/11/2025 2:05:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern baseball has added a midweek game on Wednesday, March 12 at UIC at 1:50 p.m. CT.
After dropping the first two games by a combined three runs, Northwestern (7-7) defeated The Citadel in the final two games of its four-game series to earn a series split. In game two of Saturday's doubleheader, INF Jack Counsell recorded his second multi-RBI game in as many weeks and RHP Sam Hliboki worked 6.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out five to earn the win in a 4-1 victory. In Sunday's series finale, NU's bats came to life, scoring a season-high 10 runs on 15 hits, including a leadoff solo home run by OF Preston Knott and a fifth inning home run by INF Trent Liolios to down the Bulldogs, 10-7.
In its first 14 games, Northwestern's pitching staff has held opponents to 4 or fewer hits on four occasions, its most in a season since 2019.
Northwestern ranks third in the Big Ten and 20th nationally, posting a fielding percentage of .982. In 2024, Northwestern led the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally in fielding percentage (.980), committing just 37 errors on 1,847 chances.
LHP Blake MacMillan continued his strong start to 2025 with 3.0 scoreless innings in a 4-1 win at The Citadel on Saturday, March 9, earning his second career save. The graduate transfer ranks fourth in the Big Ten in batting average against, with opponents hitting just .135 against the Mississauga, Ontario native. MacMillan ranks 10th in the Big Ten in WHIP (0.97).
Knott has reached base safely in all 14 games this season. Knott went 7-for-17 (.412) with 2 doubles, a home run, three RBI, and four runs over four games at The Citadel. In Sunday's (3/9) series finale at The Citadel, Knott led off the game with a home run, doubled in the second, and recorded hits in the 7th and 9th for a career-high 4 hits. When leading off an inning, Knott has reached base 10 times in 24 opportunities.
Liolios leads all Wildcats in batting average (.350), on-base percentage (.449), slugging percentage (.700), RBI (11), and home runs (4). The Wildcats are 5-1 in games that Liolios records an RBI this season.
Northwestern is 71-33-1 all-time against UIC. The Wildcats are seeking their first win over the Flames since May 2, 2023.
The 'Cats will open Big Ten play with a three-game series this weekend against Penn State at Miller Park. Friday's first pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Sunday's finale is slated for 12:30 p.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on B1G+.
