Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, April 3
Evanston, Ill.
3 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Michigan State
'Cats Welcome Spartans for Three-Game Set at Miller Park
4/2/2026 5:20:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern resumes Big Ten play this weekend when it hosts Michigan State for a three-game series at Miller Park.
Friday's series opener is set for 3 p.m. CT, with Saturday and Sunday's games scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on B1G+.
Friday, April 3: NU – LHP Jake Rifenburg vs. MSU – RHP Aidan Donovan
Saturday, April 4: NU – RHP Matt Kouser vs. MSU – RHP Carter Monke
Sunday, April 5: NU – TBA vs. MSU – TBA
Northwestern ranks 16th nationally in Strength of Schedule, and has played 11 of its last 20 games against opponents currently ranked in D1Baseball's Top 25.
The Wildcats have scored in the first inning in four straight games and have plated a run in the first inning in 13 of 25 games this season.
NU has played eight games this season decided by one run (5-3). In 2025, Northwestern played 12 one-run games, going 8-4. The 'Cats are 2-0 in extra innings this season.
LHP Jake Rifenburg is scheduled to make his first collegiate start after opening the season strong in the bullpen. The rookie from Downers Grove, Ill., has posted a 3.86 earned-run average over his last three games against conference opponents, highlighted by 5.1 innings of one-run ball at No. 21 Oregon.
RHP Matt Kouser leads all Wildcats with a 4.76 ERA, limiting opposing hitters to a .234 batting average in 28.1 innings. At No. 21 Oregon, Kouser allowed just two runs on two hits, striking out five in 5.0 innings in NU's 11-10 victory.
Senior INF Owen McElfatrick ranks fourth in Northwestern's record book with 29 career home runs. In 2025, McElfatrick led all 'Cats in batting average (.303), hits (59), stolen bases (5), and multi-hit games (16), earning Third Team All-Big Ten and Second Team ABCA All-Region honors.
OF Jack Lausch leads all Wildcats with a .942 on-base plus slugging, six home runs, 54 total bases and 22 runs scored. In just five home games, Lausch is slugging .944 with two home runs, three doubles and a triple.
MSU leads the all-time series against the Wildcats, 106-56. The 'Cats and Spartans are meeting in Evanston for the first time since 2022, when NU took two of three to win the series.
Michigan State (9-17, 4-8 Big Ten) ranks third in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in walks allowed per nine innings, surrendering 3.42 BB/9. RHP Aidan Donovan leads all qualified Spartans with a .341 ERA, and RHP Carter Monke ranks second with a 3.82 ERA. INF Randy Seymour leads MSU with 10 home runs, 30 RBI and a .635 slugging percentage.
Northwestern will make the short trip to UIC on Tuesday, April 7, for a midweek matchup before returning home to host Purdue for a three-game set at Miller Park from April 10 to 12.
Friday's series opener is set for 3 p.m. CT, with Saturday and Sunday's games scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on B1G+.
Probable Pitchers?? GIVEAWAY ALERT ????
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) April 2, 2026
Early arriving fans at tomorrow's series opener vs. Michigan State will receive a FREE script Northwestern hat! pic.twitter.com/0rhwNbkbLY
Friday, April 3: NU – LHP Jake Rifenburg vs. MSU – RHP Aidan Donovan
Saturday, April 4: NU – RHP Matt Kouser vs. MSU – RHP Carter Monke
Sunday, April 5: NU – TBA vs. MSU – TBA
Northwestern ranks 16th nationally in Strength of Schedule, and has played 11 of its last 20 games against opponents currently ranked in D1Baseball's Top 25.
The Wildcats have scored in the first inning in four straight games and have plated a run in the first inning in 13 of 25 games this season.
NU has played eight games this season decided by one run (5-3). In 2025, Northwestern played 12 one-run games, going 8-4. The 'Cats are 2-0 in extra innings this season.
LHP Jake Rifenburg is scheduled to make his first collegiate start after opening the season strong in the bullpen. The rookie from Downers Grove, Ill., has posted a 3.86 earned-run average over his last three games against conference opponents, highlighted by 5.1 innings of one-run ball at No. 21 Oregon.
RHP Matt Kouser leads all Wildcats with a 4.76 ERA, limiting opposing hitters to a .234 batting average in 28.1 innings. At No. 21 Oregon, Kouser allowed just two runs on two hits, striking out five in 5.0 innings in NU's 11-10 victory.
Senior INF Owen McElfatrick ranks fourth in Northwestern's record book with 29 career home runs. In 2025, McElfatrick led all 'Cats in batting average (.303), hits (59), stolen bases (5), and multi-hit games (16), earning Third Team All-Big Ten and Second Team ABCA All-Region honors.
OF Jack Lausch leads all Wildcats with a .942 on-base plus slugging, six home runs, 54 total bases and 22 runs scored. In just five home games, Lausch is slugging .944 with two home runs, three doubles and a triple.
MSU leads the all-time series against the Wildcats, 106-56. The 'Cats and Spartans are meeting in Evanston for the first time since 2022, when NU took two of three to win the series.
Michigan State (9-17, 4-8 Big Ten) ranks third in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in walks allowed per nine innings, surrendering 3.42 BB/9. RHP Aidan Donovan leads all qualified Spartans with a .341 ERA, and RHP Carter Monke ranks second with a 3.82 ERA. INF Randy Seymour leads MSU with 10 home runs, 30 RBI and a .635 slugging percentage.
Northwestern will make the short trip to UIC on Tuesday, April 7, for a midweek matchup before returning home to host Purdue for a three-game set at Miller Park from April 10 to 12.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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OF
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INF
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LHP
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Sunday, March 29
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Monday, March 23
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Saturday, March 14
