Matt Gannon vs. Illinois Matt Gannon vs. Illinois

'Cats Hit the Road to Clash with Chicago State

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern will take a break from Big Ten play to go and battle crosstown-foe Chicago State on Tuesday, March 27 at 3 p.m. CT.
 
Matt McHugh from WNUR Sports will bring you the action.
 
Northwestern (7-11) dropped a series to Illinois over the weekend, losing all three games by a combined four runs.
 
Chicago State (4-16) comes into Tuesday's contest having lost 15 consecutive games.
 
The Wildcats hold a 37-6 advantage in the all-time meetings between the two programs.
 
Sophomore Matt Gannon will make his first start of the season on Tuesday. Gannon has made three relief appearances for Northwestern this season, including a 2.0-inning appearance in Friday's game against Illinois. Against the Illini, Gannon faced eight batters and did not allow a hit or a run, while striking out one.
 
Three Northwestern players have notched 15-or-more hits this season. Jack Dunn leads the 'Cats with a .288 average and 19 knocks, while Alex Erro has 18 hits for a .273 clip. Willie Bourbon is hitting .238 with 15 hits and a team-best 16 RBI.
 
Erro led the 'Cats at the dish over the weekend. The sophomore hit .455 at the plate (5-for-11) with a home run and three RBI to slug .727 and post an on-base percentage of .571. The Miami, Florida, native is in the midst of a 10-game hit streak, ranks second in the Big Ten with 10 steals and is the fourth toughest player to strike out in the conference - fanning once every 11.0 at-bats.

Jack Claeys also stepped up against the Illini over the weekend, highlighted by a 4-for-4 performance at the plate on Saturday. Claeys hit .400 in the series with a .700 slugging percentage, three runs scored and one home run.

Northwestern will travel to Maryland following the game against Chicago State for a three-game set against the Terps that begins on Friday, March 30.

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