Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Badgers Outlast 'Cats, 4-2 in Nine Innings
4/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 18, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - In a battle of two of the top pitchers in the Big Ten, Andrea Kirchberg got a little more help from her offense than Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) when she needed it. Kris Zachner's two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning was the difference as Wisconsin defeated Northwestern 4-2 at a chilly Drysdale Field Friday. The Wildcats wasted a career-high 16 strikeouts by Foster, as Kirchberg limited NU to three hits.
With the loss, Northwestern falls to 25-13 overall and 6-7 in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Wisconsin improves to 14-20 overall and 3-8 in conference play.
Offense was few and far between for both teams, as the pitchers took control. The Badgers had their first two runners reach in the top of the first on a walk and an error, but Foster struck out the next three batters to squelch the threat.
Wisconsin threatened again in the fourth, putting runners at first and second, but Foster fanned Emily Friedman and Kirchberg to get out of trouble.
UW finally broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the fifth. With one away and runners on second and third, Meghann Reiss singled to left, scoring Zacher. Boo Gillette followed with a sacrifice fly to center, putting the Badgers ahead 2-0.
Meanwhile, Kirchberg was able to handcuff the Wildcats. Northwestern managed just two bases runners through the first five innings, both via a walk.
The no-hitter was still intact with one out in the sixth when Brett Nakabayashi (Irvine, Calif./Irvine) recorded a single on a sharply hit ball to shortstop. As much trouble as the 'Cats had up to that point, Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) made it all moot with one swing of the bat, recording a two-run homer to left, tying the game 2-2.
NU had a golden opportunity to win the game in the seventh. With one out, J.C. Kira (Honolulu, Hawaii) and pinch hitter Robyn Pettinger (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) recorded back-to-back walks. Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) came on to pinch hit, but her blooper to the second base bag was snared on a diving catch by the shortstop Zacher, who landed on the base, doubling off pinch runner Sheila McCorkle (Costa Mesa, Calif./Mater Dei).
After both teams stranded a runner in the eighth, Wisconsin got the game-winner from Zacher in the ninth. Following a lead-off single by Friedman, Foster recorded consecutive strikeouts. Foster was one strike away from getting out of the inning, but Zacher lined a 3-2 pitch over the fence in left for the game-winning runs. The 'Cats went down in order in the bottom half of the inning.
Kirchberg struck out 10 to improve to 12-14 on the season. UW stranded seven baserunners, compared to five for the 'Cats.
Foster dropped to 11-7 with the tough-luck loss. She surpassed her previous career high of 15 K's which she recorded in a 10-inning game against Oklahoma State March 8. It is the most strikeouts by a Northwestern pitcher since Jaclyn DeBoard struck out 17 Morehead State batters on Feb. 28, 1998.
Northwestern will shoot to bounce back at noon Saturday when it hosts the Badgers once again at Drysdale Field. A youth clinic with the Wildcat players and coaches will follow 30 minutes after the completion of the game.
