Northwestern University Athletics
Softball in San Diego for Campbell/Cartier Tournament
2/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern softball (2-3) is back in action this weekend, heading west to take part in the Campbell/Cartier Tournament, a 15-team event hosted by San Diego State University. NU will play five games in a three-day span beginning Friday. A complete tournament schedule is listed below.
The Wildcats' first game of the tournament is scheduled against UC Santa Barbara (6-4). This will be the third tournament appearance for the Gauchos this season-UCSB finished eighth in the Big West last season (4-17). They are coached by first-year coach Kristy Schroeder. NU has not played UCSB since the 1984 season. That year the 'Cats defeated the Gauchos 5-1. The all-time series record is knotted at 2-2.
Utah State (0-5) is slated next for the 'Cats. The Aggies are still looking for their first win of the season after going 0-5 at the prestigious Arizona State Tournament. In Tempe, Utah State faced tough competition in No. 2 UCLA (L, 9-0), No. 8 ASU (L, 13-4) and No. 17 Southwest Texas State (L, 1-0). NU and Utah State met last season at this tournament with the 'Cats coming away with a 5-0 win in eight innings. The all-time series between the 'Cats and Aggies is also tied, with each claiming three wins.
On Saturday, NU will see the first of two top 25 opponents. No. 10 Cal State Fullerton (2-4) won the Big West title last season and advanced to postseason play for the 20th time in the program's 22 year history. The Wildcats are 3-9 against the Titans all-time, but did win their last meeting, 9-1, during the 1994 season.
The afternoon game will pit NU against Sacramento State (3-5). The Hornets dropped the first four games of the season, but have rebounded to win three of their last four. Sacramento State is coached by Michigan State alum Kathy Strahan in her ninth year. The Hornets are the only team NU faces this weekend that won the last face-to-face meeting. Sacramento State defeated the 'Cats 9-4 last year at the tournament and in the teams two previous meetings.
The final game of the weekend is against host San Diego State (4-5). The Aztecs are ranked 23rd and made an NCAA Regional appearance last season. This is already the second tournament that SDSU has hosted this season. NU won last year's tournament game, 2-1, and lead the all-time series 7-3.
NU opened its season Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla., at the Louisville Slugger Tournament, where the Wildcats posted a 2-3 record. Their first win of the season came against host South Florida, who is ranked 25th in the nation.
Senior Erin Jancic (Houston, Texas/Alief Elsik) is leading the offensive attack. She hit a team-best .412 (7-for-17) and knocked in a team-high 7 RBI in the USF tournament. Jancic is coming back from a shoulder injury that limited her action last season. She is now tied for second in NU's record book with 87 career RBI.
In the circle, junior Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) picked up both NU wins. She pitched two complete games and made two relief appearances, and posted a 1.15 ERA with opposing batter hitting just .227.
The 'Cats have eight players who hail from the state of California, Andria Caruthers (Inglewood), Stephanie Elliott (Goleta), Carri Leto (El Cajon), Erin Mobley (Santa Ana), Cindy Muran (Newbury Park), Brett Nakabayashi (Irvine), Alyson Schulz (San Diego) and Schwendimann (Tustin).
"We are excited about this weekend," said Wildcat head coach Kate Drohan. "Not only do we match up well against these teams, but it is also a homecoming of sorts for many of our players." Our team is playing well and this weekend will definitely be a test for us as we have made some moves in the field."
Box scores will also be posted on http://goaztecs.fansonly.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/02-cc-tourney.html as soon as possiable.
Fri. (Feb. 15)
10:30 a.m.-UM vs. LMU, SAC vs. PITT, NW vs. UCSB
1:00 p.m.-UM vs. UOP, FIU vs. CSUF, NW vs. USU
3:30 p.m.-SDSU vs. UCSB, SAC vs. UNM, LMU vs. USU
6:00 p.m.-SDSU vs. FSU, CSUN vs. UNM, CSUF vs. STAN
8:30 p.m.-FIU vs. FSU, CSUN vs. STAN, UOP vs. PITT
Sat. (Feb. 16)
10:30 a.m.-CSUF vs. NW, SAC vs. FIU, STAN vs. USU
1:00 p.m.-UCSB vs. UM, SDSU vs. FIU, CSUN vs. PITT
3:30 p.m.-USU vs. UM, NW vs. SAC, UOP vs. UNM
6:00 p.m.-STAN vs. SDSU, UCSB vs. FSU, UOP vs. LMU
8:30 p.m.-CSUF vs. PITT, CSUN vs. FSU
Sun. (Feb. 17)
9:30 a.m.-FIU vs. UCSB, PITT vs. UM, NW vs. SDSU
12:00 p.m.-FSU vs. USU, CSUN vs. LMU, CSUF vs. UNM
3:30 p.m.-UOP vs. SDSU, SAC vs. LMU, STAN vs. UNM
Participating Schools
Cal State Fullerton (CSUF)
Cal State Northridge (CSUN)
Florida International (FIU)
Fresno State (FSU)
Loyola Marymount (LMU)
Michigan (UM)
New Mexico (UNM)
Northwestern (NW)
Pacific (UOP)
Pittsburgh (PITT)
Sacramento State (SAC)
San Diego State (SDSU)
Stanford (STAN)
UC Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Utah State (USU)
