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Northwestern baseball ties UIC 3-3 after squandering late lead
Wildcats unable to hold on to 3-2 advantage in the top of the ninth inning
Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:56am
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Despite leading 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning, the Northwestern baseball team was unable to close out their game against UIC, resulting in a 3-3 tie due to darkness. The Wildcats struggled with control on the mound, throwing strikes just 53% of the time, and left 8 runners on base throughout the game.
Why it matters
This tie highlights some of the challenges the Northwestern baseball team has faced early in the season, including issues with pitching control and leaving runners on base. As they prepare to open Big Ten play, the Wildcats will need to shore up these areas to be competitive against conference opponents.
The details
In the top of the ninth inning, Northwestern sophomore left-hander Alex Grant walked the second batter and hit the first batter, loading the bases with just one out. However, Grant was able to recover and force two groundouts to keep the game tied at 3-3. Overall, Northwestern used nine different pitchers in the game, with no pitcher throwing more than two innings. The Wildcats struggled with control, throwing strikes just 53% of the time compared to 66% for UIC. Northwestern also left 8 runners on base, while UIC left 18.
- The game lasted over three-and-a-half hours on a misty Tuesday afternoon.
- In the top of the ninth inning, the game was tied 3-3 when darkness set in, resulting in the tie.
The players
Ben Greenspan
The head coach of the Northwestern baseball team, in his third year leading the program.
Alex Grant
A sophomore left-handed pitcher for Northwestern who was able to escape a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the ninth inning to keep the game tied.
Griffin Mills
A junior outfielder for Northwestern who made two key putouts in the field and hit his first home run of the season.
Ryan Kucherak
A junior shortstop for Northwestern who set the program single-season record last year with 18 home runs.
Colin Husko
The second baseman for UIC who scored the tying run in the top of the eighth inning.
What they’re saying
“I'm disappointed that we tied that game, to be honest”
— Ben Greenspan, Head Coach
“The hope was that a guy could come in for an inning and then hopefully go out and get three outs. But I felt like a lot of the guys that finished somebody else's inning had trouble getting through their second ones. I'm proud of the way some of the guys stranded inherited runners.”
— Ben Greenspan, Head Coach
“He's been in and out of the lineup a little bit, and so I'm happy for him that he gets the opportunity today and makes a major impact.”
— Ben Greenspan, Head Coach
What’s next
The Northwestern baseball team will look to bounce back this weekend as they open Big Ten play with a series at Miller Park against USC.
The takeaway
This tie highlights some of the early-season struggles for the Northwestern baseball team, including issues with pitching control and leaving runners on base. As they prepare to open conference play, the Wildcats will need to shore up these areas to be competitive against Big Ten opponents.
