Northwestern University Athletics
Hliboki, Kucherak, Lausch Named Big Ten Players to Watch
2/11/2026 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Graduate RHP Sam Hliboki, junior INF Ryan Kucherak and senior OF Jack Lausch were named 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch, the conference announced on Wednesday.
Kucherak returns for his junior year after breaking the program's single-season home run record with 18 home runs in 2025. Kucherak also led the Big Ten with 15 home runs in conference play. Starting all 52 games at shortstop, he led all 'Cats in home runs (18), runs batted in (41), slugging percentage (.639), on-base plus slugging (1.018) and extra-base hits (31).
Lausch debuted with the baseball program in 2025 after playing three seasons of football for the Wildcats. The Chicago native continued to break out as the season went on, posting a team-high .347 batting average and .422 on-base percentage over NU's final 30 games.
The Wildcats return to action this weekend for a three-game series at Rice. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:35 p.m. CT, Saturday's game is slated for 4:05 p.m. CT and Sunday's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Hliboki earns the honor in his second season in Evanston. The graduate transfer posted a 5.36 ERA last season and led all Wildcats and ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 82.1 innings pitched. Hliboki also ranked 10th among qualified B1G pitchers in BB/9 (2.3).Big Ten Players to Watch ??
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) February 11, 2026
Jack Lausch, Ryan Kucherak and Sam Hliboki have been named @B1GBaseball Players to Watch! pic.twitter.com/jIaPqbIlON
Kucherak returns for his junior year after breaking the program's single-season home run record with 18 home runs in 2025. Kucherak also led the Big Ten with 15 home runs in conference play. Starting all 52 games at shortstop, he led all 'Cats in home runs (18), runs batted in (41), slugging percentage (.639), on-base plus slugging (1.018) and extra-base hits (31).
Lausch debuted with the baseball program in 2025 after playing three seasons of football for the Wildcats. The Chicago native continued to break out as the season went on, posting a team-high .347 batting average and .422 on-base percentage over NU's final 30 games.
The Wildcats return to action this weekend for a three-game series at Rice. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:35 p.m. CT, Saturday's game is slated for 4:05 p.m. CT and Sunday's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
Jack Lausch to the Upper Deck 💥🤯
Sunday, March 08
Baseball - Northwestern Run Rules Rice, 17-6 (2/15/26)
Sunday, February 15
Baseball - 'Cats Take Down No. 14 UCLA, 9-4 (5/15/25)
Friday, May 16
Baseball - Wildcats Top Beacons, 12-4 (5/13/25)
Wednesday, May 14
