'Cats Drop Series Opener to No. 5 Yellow Jackets'Cats Drop Series Opener to No. 5 Yellow Jackets

'Cats Drop Series Opener to No. 5 Yellow Jackets

Photo Gallery Opens in a new window
ATLANTA – Northwestern had its five-game winning streak snapped, falling 17-3 to No. 5 Georgia Tech in seven innings on Friday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.

INF Ryan Kucherak matched his career high with three RBI, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a double. Most recently, Kucherak drove in three runs in a 9-4 win at No. 14 UCLA on May 15, 2025.

Northwestern (5-3) opened the scoring on Kucherak's first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the top of the first to score OF Jack Lausch and give NU a 2-0 lead.

.@Ryankucherak gets us started with a two-run blast! ?? pic.twitter.com/4SiJ173QQI

— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) February 27, 2026
Georgia Tech (9-1) evened the game at two apiece in the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the second, the Yellow Jackets broke the game open with seven runs to take a 9-2 lead. GT added one in the third and five in the fourth to stretch its lead to 15-2.

INF Jack Counsell led off the top of the fifth with a double down the left-field line, and came around to score on Kucherak's double down the left-field line.

The Yellow Jackets added a pair in the bottom of the fifth to cap off the scoring.

RHP Sam Hliboki (1-2) is credited with the loss, surrendering nine runs on seven hits and two walks in 1.2 innings pitched. 

RHP Tate McKee (1-0) earned the win in 4.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out three. 

Game two of the series is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday on ACCNX. LHP Ryan Weaver is scheduled to start on the mound for the Wildcats.