Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
18-25-1, 6-17
Indiana
21-26, 7-16
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 7 | 5 | 0 |
Northwestern Earns 7-4 Comeback Victory over Indiana
5/2/2026 6:43:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern rallied from an early deficit to secure a 7-4 victory over Indiana to even the series on Saturday afternoon at Miller Park.
The Wildcats (18-25-1, 6-17 Big Ten) claimed their fifth straight win at Miller Park, dating back to April 14.
OF Jack Lausch launched his team-high 11th home run of the season, nearly doubling his total from 2025 (six).Series Evened ? pic.twitter.com/cd50l9I5GD
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) May 2, 2026
INF Ryan Kucherak matched his career high with four RBI, roping a three-run double in the third and an RBI single in the seventh.
Indiana (21-26, 7-16 Big Ten) jumped out to an early lead, scoring one run in the first and adding two more in the third.
RHP Matt Kouser settled in and closed out his outing with three straight scoreless innings to keep the 'Cats in the game. Kouser (2-5) turned in his third quality start over his last four appearances, allowing three runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings pitched.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, Kucherak evened the game with a three-run double.
In the fifth, Lausch put the Wildcats ahead for good with a two-run dinger to right field, giving NU a 5-3 lead.
The 'Cats added a pair in the seventh to stretch their lead to 7-3. IU pulled a run back in the top of the eighth, but LHP Jake Rifenburg closed out the ninth with a double play to secure the win and even the series. Rifenburg (1) picked up his first career save, tossing 3.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits, striking out three.
Sunday's rubber match is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT at Miller Park on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kouser, Matt (2-5)
L: Thomas, Brayton (1-5)
S: Rifenburg, Jake (1)
Batting:
2B: Hanley, Jake 1 ; Malamazian, Cooper 1 ; Decker, Cole 1 ; Gates, Cal 1
RBI: ten Oever, Owen 1 ; Malamazian, Cooper 2 ; Fry, Landen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Denny, Hogan 2 ; Hanley, Jake 1 ; Malamazian, Cooper 1
SB: Denny, Hogan 1
HBP: Fry, Landen 1 ; Gates, Cal 1
Batting:
2B: Kucherak, Ryan 1 ; Caruso, Charlie 1
HR: Lausch, Jack 1
RBI: Lausch, Jack 2 ; Kucherak, Ryan 4
Base Running:
RUNS: McElfatrick, Owen 1 ; Lausch, Jack 3 ; Barron, Nick 1 ; Caruso, Charlie 2
CS: Kucherak, Ryan 1
