This year, with Spencer Allen’s second season in the head coach position, Northwestern saw quite a turnaround from last year. With a record of 27 – 30, they won 11 additional games and lost ten less than they did in 2016. Thanks to the fact they went 13 – 11 in the Big Ten play, it was also the first time they enjoyed a season above .500 in league play since they managed the same conference record back in 2010. This mark was good enough to allow them entry into the Big Ten Tournament, also for the first time since 2010, and this saw them advance right through to the tournament final before they lost out to Iowa. To top it all off, it was the highest win total in the program since 2000!
What Does 2018 Look Like for Northwestern?
It is hard to say, actually. With the leap the Wildcats made this year, it would be foolish to underestimate them, but a programme can also sometimes rebuild, with a team being further along in terms of development but taking a step back from an uncompromising standpoint of wins and losses, especially if the roster continues to turn over as seniors get moved out of the programme.
Northwestern definitely fits this bill, at least in terms of needing to replace veteran players. The two best hitters on the team, Joe Hoscheit and Matt Hopfner graduated after the last season, as did swingman pitchers Josh Davis and Cooper Wetherbee, and relief arm Pete Hofman. This is lot of top-end production to have to do without, but it was evident over the last season that a young core has manifested, and these guys could very well be coming up for star turns next year, so punters who enjoy the betting NZ has to offer are keeping their eyes peeled.
Talented Players Hitting the Field
Alex Erro is a very versatile hitter who would be able to fit in well as a table setter or in the midst of the order. He has the right mindset for both and always plays at his peak. This year he did both en route to hitting .275/.324/.386 with 11 doubles and a total of five home runs. Leo Kaplan, outfielder, also showed potential as a power bat, although in a part-time role last season. He played in on a total of 37 games, of which 22 were starts, and has hit .287 with eight doubles and four home runs. This total is a good one for the third player on the team, behind Hoscheit and Erro. Connor Lind will also be returning, who was third on the team with an RBI of 31.
Spencer Allan Trusts Catcher Jack Claeys
Although Jack Clayes did not put up showy offensive numbers last season, he is still a man Spencer Allan very clearly trusts to get things done at the plate. Allen said that he simply couldn’t say enough about Claeys after a win over Minnesota at the Big Ten Tournament. He stated that Claeys had gotten more big hits for the Wildcats, with these words proving prescient later on in on the tournament when his three-run homer in the game against Maryland helped lift his team to the tournament’s final.
