Can the Wildcats get back on track after dropping to .500?
After second-year skipper Ben Greenspan guided his team to a red-hot 5-2 start — the program’s best since 2003 — Northwestern has fallen back to .500 after being swept by Duke. The Wildcats struggled to contain the Blue Devils’ offense, surrendering 31 runs over the three-game span as the No. 17 team in the country exposed early-season weaknesses that Greenspan must address moving forward.
The Wildcats will now have a chance to get their season back on track before diving into Big Ten action. This weekend, they will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, to take on The Citadel in a four-game series, including a doubleheader on Saturday. Here are three things to watch in this weekend’s series against the Bulldogs.
Can the ‘Cats stabilize their bullpen?
Heading into the season, pitching depth was a major question mark for Northwestern, but the first seven games may have provided a false glimmer of hope. Outside of a 19-6 blowout loss to Long Beach State on opening night, the Wildcats’ pitching staff had not surrendered more than four runs in any of the next six games. However, those concerns came roaring back against Duke, causing Northwestern’s ERA to spike. The Wildcats now rank second to last in the Big Ten with a 6.83 ERA, largely due to bullpen issues — a recurring problem that played a key role in the recent weekend sweep.
In Game One, Wake Forest transfer Crawford Wade put the ‘Cats in a strong position, striking out five and allowing three runs over four innings. By the time Greenspan pulled him, Northwestern held a 4-3 lead. However, the bullpen collapsed immediately. Alex Grant surrendered three runs in relief, while Carter Danz, Amar Tsengeg, Cole Mascott and Jack Grunkemeyer combined to allow eight more, turning a once-competitive game into a 14-5 rout.
Following the opening series loss, Game Two played out in a frustratingly similar fashion. Freshman Matthew Kouser started strong, allowing just three runs through five innings. However, fatigue set in during his final frame, as he allowed two more runs in the fifth. Greenspan replaced the New Jersey native with Vanderbilt transfer Sam Hliboki, who entered with a 4-3 lead but struggled down the stretch, allowing three runs that handed Duke a 6-5 win. Once again, the Wildcats’ bullpen proved to be their downfall.
As the Wildcats head into their series against The Citadel, their bullpen faces a crucial test. With a grueling schedule ahead and Big Ten play looming, this weekend will be a pivotal moment in determining whether Northwestern’s early-season success was real or merely a brief mirage before old struggles resurfaced. If the Wildcats hope to make a serious run for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1957, shoring up their relief pitching is no longer an option — it’s a necessity.
Will Jackson Freeman get back on track?
Following his breakout freshman campaign in 2024, during which he led the team with 39 RBIs and tied with Owen McElfatrick for the team lead in home runs (11) while batting .247, Freeman has taken a significant step back. He has fallen victim to a sophomore slump, with his performance declining drastically this season. Through 35 at-bats, he has recorded just six hits and one home run, posting a team-worst .171 batting average.
His struggles were apparent in the Duke series, where the former freshman phenom hit a dismal .091 and struck out four times over the weekend. However, his lone bright spot — a two-run home run — provides a glimmer of hope that his slump may not last forever.
Now, as the ‘Cats prepare to head south this weekend, a major question remains: Can Greenspan’s star from a year ago find his swing again? Even in 2024, when Northwestern stumbled to an 18-34 finish, Freeman was the undeniable face of the future — a one-man spark plug who kept the team remotely competitive.
But even with a significantly upgraded roster this season, it’s clear that Freeman’s performance will dictate this team’s ceiling. D1Baseball has identified him as a Big Ten prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft, but recognition alone won’t be enough. If he can’t turn things around, Greenspan may have a tough decision to make regarding his role as the team’s three-hole hitter.
Can Matthew Kouser sustain his blazing hot start?
Heading into the season, a major storyline for Northwestern was who would step up in the starting rotation after Greenspan lost several key starters, including Kyle Potthoff, Matt McClure, Luke Benneche and Nolan Morr. While several arms have taken the mound, none has been more surprising or impactful than Matthew Kouser. The freshman right-hander impressed last month, earning Northwestern’s first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor since 2022 and emerging as a budding star in the Wildcats’ pitching staff.
From his very first start on the mound, the New Jersey native has been nothing short of brilliant. In his Northwestern debut, he delivered a 4-3 victory over Long Beach State, tossing six innings of two-hit, one-run ball while striking out one. He followed that up with another strong performance against Fordham, guiding the ‘Cats to a dominant 9-3 win while allowing three runs on eight hits and increasing his strikeout total to three.
In his third career start, Kouser once again put Northwestern in a position to win. Against Duke, he pitched five solid innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out two. By the time he exited, the Wildcats held a 4-3 lead, but bullpen struggles ultimately cost them the game, handing the victory to the Blue Devils.
As the ‘Cats wrap up their final series before Big Ten play, Kouser faces a crucial test — proving his early success is sustainable. With matchups against conference foes Penn State and Illinois looming, he’ll have little room for error, making this weekend’s series against The Citadel a key opportunity to solidify his status as Northwestern’s ace. A strong outing would not only build on his impressive start but also provide much-needed stability for a pitching staff that finished last in the Big Ten with a 6.95 ERA last season. If the Wildcats hope to contend with top-tier Big Ten opponents, they’ll need Kouser to establish himself as one of the conference’s most reliable arms.