Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
12-12, 5-3
Maryland
13-14, 2-6
Northwestern Routs Maryland 18-8 in Seven Innings to Secure Series
3/29/2025 8:43:00 PM | Baseball
All eight of Freeman's RBI came in the first three innings. Freeman put the 'Cats (12-12, 5-3 Big Ten) on the board with a double in the top of the first. In the top of the second, Freeman slugged a grand slam, his second grand slam and third home run of the season, and cleared the bases with a three-run double in the top of the third.RUN-RULE ?? SERIES DUB ? pic.twitter.com/UQi8tiNytx
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 29, 2025
Five 'Cats recorded multi-hit games, led by OF Preston Knott, who went 4-for-4 with four runs, a career-high three RBI, two doubles, and a home run.
OF Trent Liolios logged his 11th multi-hit game of the season with two hits, including a three-run home run in the top of the seventh. Liolios' homer marks his 12th of the season, second-most in the Big Ten. Liolios has hit eight home runs in eight conference games this season, the most in the conference.
In the top of the third, INF Ryan Kucherak hit a two-run jack to right-center, his sixth long ball of the season. Kucherak's five home runs in Big Ten play ranks fourth in the conference.
RHP Matthew Kouser (3-2) earned the win in 3.1 innings pitched, allowing seven runs, four earned, on nine hits and two walks. LHP Crawford Wade earned his first save in 3.2 innings of work, surrendering one run on four hits, fanning a pair.
Game Notes
- Northwestern clinched its first series win at Maryland since May 12-14, 2017.
The 'Cats are off to its best start in Big Ten play through eight games since 2021. - Northwestern has won consecutive Big Ten series for the first time since April 1-10, 2022 (at Indiana, vs Penn State).
- The Wildcats have won the first two games of a road Big Ten series for the first time since May 10-11, 2019 at Rutgers.
- Northwestern's 18 runs are its most since April 11, 2023 and most in a Big Ten game since defeating Illinois 19-18 on April 14, 2006
- The 'Cats scored double-digit runs for the fourth time this year and third time in conference play.
- NU's 17 hits are its most in a game since recording 18 in a 16-5 win on April 18, 2023 at Northern Illinois, and most in a conference game since March 27, 2021.
- Jackson Freeman's eight RBI are the most by a Wildcat since David Gresky logged 10 against Chicago State on April 15, 2003.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kouser, Matthew (3-2)
L: Logan Hastings (2-2)
S: Wade, Crawford (1)
Batting:
2B: Knott, Preston 2 ; Freeman, Jackson 2 ; Lausch, Jack 1
HR: Knott, Preston 1 ; Freeman, Jackson 1 ; Kucherak, Ryan 1 ; Liolios, Trent 1
RBI: Knott, Preston 3 ; Freeman, Jackson 8 ; Kucherak, Ryan 2 ; Liolios, Trent 3 ; Counsell, Jack 1
SH: Ganus, Tyler 1
SF: Counsell, Jack 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knott, Preston 4 ; McElfatrick, Owen 4 ; Freeman, Jackson 3 ; Kucherak, Ryan 2 ; Liolios, Trent 1 ; Markinson, Bennett 1 ; Lausch, Jack 2 ; Ganus, Tyler 1
HBP: McElfatrick, Owen 1
Batting:
2B: Hollis Porter 2 ; Aden Hill 1
RBI: Alex Calarco 1 ; Hollis Porter 4 ; Jacob Orr 1 ; Aden Hill 1 ; Elijah Lambros 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brayden Martin 1 ; Eddie Hacopian 2 ; Chris Hacopian 2 ; Alex Calarco 2 ; Hollis Porter 1
HBP: Alex Calarco 1 ; Paul Jones II 1
