EVANSTON, Ill. — Seniors Zach Jones and Jake Stolley along with junior Joe Hoscheit were named to the 2016 Big Ten Baseball Players to Watch list, the conference announced Wednesday.
Jones, who will see action at first base and the outfield in 2016, is the team's top returning hitter. The Glenview, Ill., native led the 2015 Wildcats with 70 hits, 32 runs batted in and 20 doubles. After starting in 51 of 52 games and hitting for an average of .321, Jones was named to the 2015 College Sports Madness All-Big Ten Second Team.
Stolley made 29 appearances out of the bullpen in 2015 and managed to pick up a pair of wins for Northwestern in those outings. The Wildcat closer racked up a team-high seven saves to go along with a team-best 2.98 earned run average. Stolley was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2015.
A versatile two-way player, Hoscheit was the only member of the Wildcats to start and play in all 54 games last season. He ranked fourth on the team in batting average (.286) and third in hits with 59. Hoscheit made 10 appearances on the bump in 2015 and posted a 2-2 record with a save.
In addition to releasing its Players to Watch list, the Big Ten Conference also posted its preseason rankings. Coaches in the conference voted on the top six teams entering the 2016 season. Michigan was named the preseason favorite in the poll Maryland in second place, No. 3 Indiana, Iowa in fourth place, No. 5 Illinois and Michigan State in sixth place.
Northwestern opens the 2016 campaign with a four-game series against Nevada (Feb. 19-21) at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. The Wildcats will begin Big Ten play on Friday, March 25 versus Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
Jones, who will see action at first base and the outfield in 2016, is the team's top returning hitter. The Glenview, Ill., native led the 2015 Wildcats with 70 hits, 32 runs batted in and 20 doubles. After starting in 51 of 52 games and hitting for an average of .321, Jones was named to the 2015 College Sports Madness All-Big Ten Second Team.
Stolley made 29 appearances out of the bullpen in 2015 and managed to pick up a pair of wins for Northwestern in those outings. The Wildcat closer racked up a team-high seven saves to go along with a team-best 2.98 earned run average. Stolley was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2015.
A versatile two-way player, Hoscheit was the only member of the Wildcats to start and play in all 54 games last season. He ranked fourth on the team in batting average (.286) and third in hits with 59. Hoscheit made 10 appearances on the bump in 2015 and posted a 2-2 record with a save.
In addition to releasing its Players to Watch list, the Big Ten Conference also posted its preseason rankings. Coaches in the conference voted on the top six teams entering the 2016 season. Michigan was named the preseason favorite in the poll Maryland in second place, No. 3 Indiana, Iowa in fourth place, No. 5 Illinois and Michigan State in sixth place.
Northwestern opens the 2016 campaign with a four-game series against Nevada (Feb. 19-21) at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. The Wildcats will begin Big Ten play on Friday, March 25 versus Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.