Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Ohio St
'Cats Earn Sweep Over No. 20 Ohio State
4/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 5, 2003
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. - While it took a late-game rally in the first game, the second game resulted in scoring early and often. Either way, it all adds up to a doubleheader sweep for the Northwestern softball team over No. 20 Ohio State. The Wildcats used a five-run sixth inning to spurt past the Buckeyes 5-2 in the opener, and then scored four runs in the first on their way to a 10-3 rout in the nightcap.
With the two victories, NU improves to 20-10 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten, while Ohio State falls to 17-12 and 2-2.
Wildcat starter Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) stuggled with her control in game one, issuing three walks while lasting just one-third of an inning. She was relieved by Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif./Foothill), but not until the Buckeyes had put a pair of early runs on the board.
OSU's 2-0 lead held up until the bottom of the sixth, as Schwendimann and Kristi DeVries took their turns shutting down the opposition. Each team managed just three hits through the opening five innings of play.
The Northwestern bats suddenly came alive in the bottom of the sixth, as the 'Cats scored five runs with two outs and recorded six hits in all. With one out, Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) doubled and advanced to third on a single by Jamie Dotson (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill). Dotson stole second and the Buckeyes relieved DeVries with Katie Chain.
But Chain managed to provide little relief. After getting Cindy Muran (Newbury Park, Calif./Newbury Park) to line out to second, Chain allowed a two-run single to J.C. Kira (Honolulu, Hawaii/Saint Francis), knotting the score 2-2. Following a Buckeye error that loaded the bases, pinch hitter Kristen Amegin (W. Sacramento, Calif./Elk Grove) lined the first pitch she saw up the middle, scoring Kira.
Carri Leto (El Cajon, Calif./Valhalla), who went 3-for-4 in her first appearance in the leadoff spot, put the icing on the cake with a single to left that scored two, giving Northwestern a 5-2 lead.
Schwendimann (6-4) retired the Buckeyes in order in the top of the seventh to preserve the win. In 6 2/3 innings of relief, she allowed just two hits while striking out four and walking none. Northwestern had nine hits, compared to only three for OSU.
The Wildcat bats picked up right where they left off in the second game. With Leto on second and one out, Mobley doubled down the right field line to put the 'Cats up 1-0. Muran followed with a single to short and then Dotson scored Mobley on her seventh double of the season. Muran came into score on a botched pick-off throw by catcher Natalie Hales, and Dotson put NU ahead 4-0 as she scored on a sacrifice fly by Kira.
Ohio State cut Northwestern's lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the second on a two-run home run by Amy Ellis off the foul pole in left. The Wildcats got one run back in the next half inning as Amegin walked with the bases loaded, bringing home Brett Nakabayashi (Irvine, Calif./Irvine).
The 'Cats put the game away with three runs in the top of the fifth. Muran led off the inning with her third home run of the season. Kira reached on a fielder's choice two batters later and came around to score on Amegin's first home run of her career, putting NU up 8-2.
Northwestern tacked on their final two runs in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Mobley and Robyn Pettinger (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) notched back-to-back singles. Dotson reached on an error to load the bases, and Kira completed her five-RBI day with a two-run double to right-center.
Ohio State managed a single run in the bottom of the sixth to avoid the onset of the mercy rule. The Buckeyes loaded the bases and starter Brie Brown (Nashville, Tenn./Harpeth Hall) was relieved by Schwendimann, who hit the first batter she faced. However, Schwendimann got Karisa Evans to fly out to center to limit the damage.
Brown scattered seven hits over 5 1/3 innings of work to pick up the win and improve to 5-1 on the season. NU outhit OSU 10-8, while the 'Cats took advantage of three Buckeye errors.
Mobley and Muran had two hits apiece, while Kira and Amegin each had three RBI.
Northwestern will attempt to get back to .500 in Big Ten play on Sunday when it faces Penn State in a doubleheader beginning at noon.
