Northwestern University Athletics
2026 Baseball Roster
Jersey Number 39
Jake Rifenburg
- Height:
- 6-2
- Weight:
- 195
- Position:
- LHP
- Class:
- First-Year
- Hometown:
- Downers Grove, Ill.
- High School:
- Benet Academy
Career Highs:
Strikeouts...................3, vs. UIC (3/10/26)
High School: Posted a 1.28 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 60 innings as a senior … Ranked the #12 left-handed pitcher in Illinois by Perfect Game … Earned first-team All-Conference and All-Area in his junior and senior seasons … Racked up 70 strikeouts in 54 innings for a 2.07 ERA as a junior … Part of the first-ever Benet Academy team to play for a state championship as a senior … Selected to play for Team Illinois in the 2024 High School National Championship tournament in Omaha … Won conference scholar/athlete award his senior year … Earned honors with highest distinction in all four years … National Honor Society Student.
Personal: Parents are Rob and Nancy Rifenburg … Father Rob played basketball at Case Western … Great uncle Dick Rifenburg played football at Michigan and in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.
Why Northwestern: “I chose Northwestern because it's close to home, has great academics, and is a highly competitive Power 4 School.”
Strikeouts...................3, vs. UIC (3/10/26)
High School: Posted a 1.28 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 60 innings as a senior … Ranked the #12 left-handed pitcher in Illinois by Perfect Game … Earned first-team All-Conference and All-Area in his junior and senior seasons … Racked up 70 strikeouts in 54 innings for a 2.07 ERA as a junior … Part of the first-ever Benet Academy team to play for a state championship as a senior … Selected to play for Team Illinois in the 2024 High School National Championship tournament in Omaha … Won conference scholar/athlete award his senior year … Earned honors with highest distinction in all four years … National Honor Society Student.
Personal: Parents are Rob and Nancy Rifenburg … Father Rob played basketball at Case Western … Great uncle Dick Rifenburg played football at Michigan and in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.
Why Northwestern: “I chose Northwestern because it's close to home, has great academics, and is a highly competitive Power 4 School.”
Baseball - Wildcats Defeat Beacons 13-9 in Midweek Matchup (3/31/26)
Tuesday, March 31
Baseball - 'Cats Even Series at Washington with Comeback Win (3/29/26)
Sunday, March 29
Baseball - Wildcats Win Extra-Inning Thriller at No. 21 Oregon (3/22/26)
Monday, March 23
Baseball - Wildcats Walk off Previously Unbeaten No. 25 USC (3/14/26)
Saturday, March 14
