The Week That Was in Northwestern Baseball
WNUR’s Nick Scoliard (@NickScols) breaks down the Wildcats impressive week, and looks ahead to what they face this weekend.
It’s hard to call this team anything but hot.
After earning a 2-9 record in their past 11 games, the Wildcats bounced back with a 6-1 week, sweeping Chicago State, winning the Nebraska series, and earned an extra win against the Wheaton College Thunder sprinkled in for good measure. One win required a top of the 12th Cody Stevens two-out single to defeat Nebraska, while Jack Mitchell delivered a pinch hit walkoff single to beat Chicago State at Rocky Miller Park. Their only loss came last Saturday at the end of a double header in Lincoln that ended 10-9. Let’s look into the week that was in NU Baseball:
Northwestern’s Nick Friar leads the ‘Cats to an impressive week
Pitching:
Nick Friar was a key part of the week, starting 2 games, and entering in for relief in another, for a combined week of 12.1 IP with two ERs, 11 Ks and only three BBs. Friar’s two wins this week were his first wins of the season, and he hoeps to continue his performance as the season wears down.
Jack Quigley, named Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week last week, was sent in for relief in three games, amassing 5.1 IP with two hits and no earned runs. He earned a win for the 12 inning Nebraska game, and two saves, doubling his total before the week started. With great pitching from Reed Mason and Brandon Magallones as well, the team had a fantastic week in pitching, which led to their impressive record.
Hitting:
The hitting MVP has to go to Zach Jones, who had four multi-hit games, and had a hit in every single game this week. His final stat line for the week was an impressive 13 for 27 with five RBIs and three runs. Jones’ impressive week could even lead to a Big Ten Player of the Week award Monday, depending on how his weekend turns out, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Cody Stevens also had a great week, with the previously mentioned 12th inning go-ahead single, going 8 for 23 with three runs and three RBIs. While the numbers look good on the surface, if you take out his 4 for 5 performance against Wheaton, he only went 4 for 18 for the other siz games. He’ll look to turn it around, and play like he did against Wheaton in the next week.
The Week Ahead:
Later today, the ‘Cats will start a weekend series against the Michigan State Spartans, and then play a mid-week game against the Northern Illinois Huskies. The ‘Cats have yet to play either team, and with their past hot week, it will be interesting to see if Northwestern can continue their momentum and improve their dismal 12-25 record heading into the Big Ten Tournament.