Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
13-15-1
UIC
9-20-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 18 | 0 |
| UIC | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Power Surge Leads 'Cats to Run-Rule Victory over Flames
4/8/2026 10:49:00 PM | Baseball
The Wildcats (13-15-1, 5-7 Big Ten) notched 15 runs on a season high 18 hits and five home runs. NU's 18 hits are its most since April 18, 2023, at Northern Illinois (18) and its five home runs match its output at Rice on Feb. 15, earlier this season. The 'Cats have totaled 33 runs over their last three games, their most since tallying 35 runs from Feb. 15-21 earlier this season.
OF Jack Lausch opened the scoring in the top of the first, driving in INF Owen McElfatrick for the first run of the game. Lausch went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run, his second career four-hit game and first this season.RUN-RULE DUB ?? pic.twitter.com/8jfgkjoOIn
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) April 9, 2026
UIC (9-20, 4-5 Missouri Valley) went ahead in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs on two hits to go ahead, 2-1.
The 'Cats went back in front in the top of the second on a pair of solo homers by Barron and McElfatrick. McElfatrick's homer marked the 31st of his career, moving him into a tie for second place in NU history with Mike Stritch (1994-98).
The Flames put up two more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-3 lead.
NU would answer with 12 straight runs, including six in the top of the fourth, to secure the run-rule victory. C Jay Slater's fourth homer of the season, a two-run dinger, put NU in front for good. Lausch added a run on a single, INF Noah Ruiz drove in two with a double and INF Jack Counsell brought home a runner with a single to stretch NU's lead to 9-4.
In the top of the sixth, INF Ryan Kucherak slugged a grand slam to left field, extending NU's advantage to 13-4. Kucherak's grand slam is NU's first since McElfatrick hit a grand slam at Maryland on March 30, 2025.
Barron put the game in run-rule territory in the top of the sixth with a two-run blast to right, his second homer of the game. Barron is the third different Wildcat to record a multi-homer game this season.
RHP James Whitaker (2-1) was strong in relief, tossing 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings, striking out one.
Northwestern returns to Big Ten play this weekend for a three-game series against Purdue at Miller Park. First pitch on Friday is set for 3 p.m. CT, with Saturday and Sunday's games scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Whitaker, James (2-1)
L: Charlie Taczy (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Lausch, Jack 2 ; Ruiz, Noah 1 ; Counsell, Jack 1
HR: McElfatrick, Owen 1 ; Kucherak, Ryan 1 ; Barron, Nick 2 ; Slater, Jay 1
RBI: McElfatrick, Owen 1 ; Kucherak, Ryan 4 ; Lausch, Jack 2 ; Ruiz, Noah 2 ; Counsell, Jack 1 ; Barron, Nick 3 ; Slater, Jay 2
Base Running:
RUNS: McElfatrick, Owen 3 ; Freeman, Jackson 1 ; Kucherak, Ryan 2 ; Lausch, Jack 1 ; Ruiz, Noah 1 ; Counsell, Jack 1 ; Barron, Nick 3 ; Slater, Jay 2 ; Mills, Griffin 1
CS: Counsell, Jack 1
HBP: Barron, Nick 1
Batting:
2B: Lucas Smith 1
3B: Will Flanigan 1
RBI: Thomas Curry 1 ; Colin Husko 2 ; Gavin Acosta 1
SF: Gavin Acosta 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Will Flanigan 1 ; Thomas Curry 1 ; Lucas Smith 1 ; Vidal Colon 1
HBP: Jake Busson 1
