Entering 2008, Northwestern had every expectation of recovering from a dreadful 9-23 season in Big Ten conference play.
The Wildcats achieved that goal, with a 14-18 record, but fell just short of the conference tournament.
While the team moved forward, two pieces of coach Paul Stevens’ pitching rotation suffered through difficult sophomore seasons.
THE INJURY BUG
Cole Livermore came into 2008 as one of NU’s brightest young stars.
While he posted a 2-9 record during his freshman year, the St. Charles, Ill.-native proved to be the Cats’ most effective pitcher down the stretch. He led the team with four complete games, allowing only 25 walks in 67 innings of work.
Livermore’s final start of the 2007 season showed a glimpse of his potential, as he struck out eight in 5.1 innings in a 7-4 loss to Michigan State.
But he never got the chance to build off that impressive late-season effort.
While pitching in fall ball, the right-hander suffered a shoulder injury, which kept him sidelined for the entire season.
“It was very frustrating personally,” Livermore said. “I tried to get back for midseason, but we kind of hit a wall.”
After a year of intense rehab, Livermore is starting to throw again, and maintains that his arm feels stronger than ever.
Stevens said the rejuvenated pitcher should be as a dangerous as ever next season.
“Being away from the game will make him that much hungrier,” Stevens said. “And a healthy Livermore will be a very important player for us.”
ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES
With the loss of Livermore, the expectation was for Joe Muraski to take charge as the staff’s ace.
After a solid freshman campaign, Muraski had trouble living up to those lofty expectations.
“I was hoping for a lot better year,” Muraski said. “I started off all right then I kind of peaked in the middle of the year and towards the end I fell apart.”
Muraski opened the season strong, going 4-3 with a 5.14 ERA. His complete-game shutout against Minnesota in April ranked among the Cats’ most dominant outings of the year.
After suffering an arm injury in the Illinois series, the Rothschild, Wis. native struggled to match his early success. Muraski finished the season 4-6 with a 7.17 ERA, lasting no more than four innings in his final three starts.
Stevens said he felt Muraski’s problems were largely mental.
“It was just confidence.” Stevens said. “He needs to develop a more consistent approach on the mound and, when he does, it will be a great situation for us.”
To prevent another late-season drop-off, Muraski said he will focus his offseason on getting in better shape. He looks forward to bouncing back next spring.
“Next year is going to be fun,” Muraski said. “Hopefully I can find my peak throughout the entire season.”
