Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois
Softball Splits Twin Bill With Intrastate Rival Illinois
4/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2002
URBANA, Ill. - The Northwestern softball squad (14-9-1, 5-1) split a doubleheader with Illinois (21-16, 3-5) on Sunday, winning the first game, 2-0, then falling in the second, 5-4. The split gives NU a 5-1 mark after two weekends of play in the Big Ten. It is the best start in conference play for NU since 1987. That year, NU won the Big Ten title and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament. The 'Cats are in second place early this season, one game behind Iowa (6-0).
In Game 1, the 'Cats needed just two runs in the fourth to beat the Illini for the first time in the school's history. Illinois started their softball program just last year and they swept the 'Cats in the opening series.
Junior right-hander Lauren Schwendimann won her 10th of the year with her second complete game shutout. Schwendimann struck out eight Illini and issued no free passes in seven innings of work.
NU scored its two runs on five hits and an Illini error in the top half of the fourth. With Jessie Wellnitz on first, Erin Mobley got things going with a bunt single, and advanced to second on an error by the Illini second baseman, who was covering first. Wellnitz landed on third after the error. Schwendimann then knocked in her fifth RBI of the year with a single up the middle, scoring Wellnitz. With two outs, Mobley came around to score on J.C. Kira's base hit to right.
The 'Cats could of done more damage in the game but stranded seven runners on base, including leaving the bases loaded in the fourth.
Not only did Kira single in one of the 'Cats' two runs in Game 1, but she also helped erase two potential Illini runs from the base path. She tagged out Katie O'Connell at home on a perfect throw from center fielder Rane Gunderson in the third, then threw out Lindsey Hamma at second from her knees the next inning.
Costly errors was the cause of the Wildcat's first conference loss of the season. NU committed four infield errors, which turned into three extra Illinois runs in Game 2.
The Illini jumped on Wildcat right-hander Brie Brown early with six hits in the first two innings. NU was able to escape with minimal damage, down only 1-0.
In the third, the 'Cats evened the score when Brett Nakabayashi drew a lead-off walk and came around to score on a base hit by Mobley. The 'Cats left two runners in scoring position that inning a total of nine for the game.
The Illini did most of their damage in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on three hits and one NU error.
The 'Cats attempted a late-inning comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Robyn Pettinger, who was 6-for-13 on the weekend, doubled to center. Kira followed up with her second base hit of the game, moving Pettinger to third. Cindy Muran, pinch hitting for Gunderson, lifted a fly ball to right, bringing in Pettinger. Erin Jancic and Nakabayashi then hit back-to-back singles to bring Kira home and close the gap to 4-3. Carri Leto grounded out to the first baseman to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Mobley hit her first career home run off the center field scoreboard. The solo shot would have tied the game if the 'Cats had not committed their fourth error in the top half of the inning. The error put an Illinois runner at second. A single and passed ball later, she came around for a much-needed insurance run. Schwendimann went on to strike out the final two batters of the inning.
Brown began the game in the circle for NU. She pitched five and two-thirds innings before giving way to Schwendimann.
NU plays its first nonconference midweek game on Wednesday when they travel to DeKalb for a doubleheader against Northern Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
