Wildcats Open Homestand with 13-9 Victory over Valpo

Tuesday, March 31

Evanston, Ill.

3 p.m. CT

Northwestern

10-14-1

Valparaiso

7-17

VALPO

Northwestern

Wildcats Open Homestand with 13-9 Victory over Valpo

3/31/2026 8:57:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Watch Highlights

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern returned to Miller Park with a 13-9 victory over Valparaiso on Tuesday, March 31.

The Wildcats' 13 runs mark their fifth double-digit run output this season and second in a three-game span.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME ?? pic.twitter.com/CdJ3saeGlp
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) March 31, 2026

OF Jack Lausch had an explosive day at the plate, logging three hits, all for extra bases. The Chicago native went 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles and two walks, posting three RBI and three runs scored.

INF Ryan Kucherak went 3-for-5 with a home run and a double to go with a career-high four RBI and three runs scored.

For the fourth straight game, Northwestern (10-14-1, 3-6 Big Ten) got on the board in the first inning, going ahead on a solo homer by INF Ryan Kucherak.

Valparaiso (7-17, 1-5 MVC) responded with four runs on two hits, a hit by pitch and a walk in the top of the second to take the lead.

In the bottom of the third, OF Jackson Freeman hit a solo homer to right, his fifth of the season, to cut the Beacon lead to two.

The Wildcats tied the game at four in the bottom of the fourth with C Jay Slater and OF Logan de Groot both driving in runs.

A solo homer in the fifth saw Valpo retake a 5-4 lead, but Northwestern answered with four runs in the bottom half to go ahead, 8-5. NU tied the game back up at five on an RBI single by INF Nick Barron, his 16th RBI of the season. Lausch put the 'Cats in front for good with a three-run blast over the scoreboard in left-center, his team-best sixth homer of the season. Lausch scored his third run of the day in the seventh on a throwing error.

The Beacons got one back in the top of the eighth, but a baserunner thrown out at the plate by INF Owen McElfatrick helped limit the damage to one.

Kucherak capped off his stellar day at the plate with a two-run double and came around to score on a wild pitch, stretching NU's lead to 13-5.

The Beacons hit a three-run homer in the ninth, but LHP Justin Fryer (1) closed it out for his first career save.

RHP James Whitaker (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits in 3.2 innings pitched, walking zero and striking out a pair for his first career win.

Northwestern resumes conference play this weekend when it hosts Michigan State. First pitch for Friday's series opener is set for 3 p.m. CT with Saturday and Sunday's games slated for 1 p.m. CT.