Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Jacksonville (Speedline Tournament)
Northwestern Downs Jacksonville 4-0
3/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 6, 2004
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Freshman Eileen Canney came up big again for Northwestern, throwing her second shutout of the Speedline Tournament as the 'Cats blanked Jacksonville 4-0. Canney held Rutgers to only one hit in an 8-0 shutout win over the Scarlet Knights and allowed only three against the Dolphins.
"Eileen kept them off balance all game long," said head coach Kate Drohan. "She was in control of the ballgame at all points."
Canney finished with 10 strikeouts and gave up only two walks. Despite giving up three hits, Canney did not allow a single ball to reach the Wildcat outfield. She did not allow a hit until the fourth inning.
Northwestern improves to 10-4 overall and 4-1 at the Speedline Tournament. With the win, the Wildcats advance to tomorrow's elimination bracket where they face Big Ten foe Purdue.
Katie Logan got the Wildcats on the board in the second innning with a double that scored Lauren Olson, who pinch ran for Jamie Dotson. Dotson reached base when she was hit by a pitch with two outs in the inning.
Carri Leto led off the Wildcats' half of the third inning with a single and later came around to score on a grounder by Eryn Manahan and the 'Cats increased their lead to 2-0.
The 'Cats picked up two more runs in the sixth inning. Pinch runner Elizabeth Piatt scored on a single by Dotson and Kristen Amegin crossed the plate after a single by catcher J.C. Kira.
"I was pleased to see us score runs in multiple innings," said Drohan. "We really kept the pressure on them offensively."
Four runs was plenty for Canney. She retired eight of the last nine consecutive Jacksonville batters to improve her season mark to 4-1.
The Northwestern versus Purdue game is set for 10 a.m. CST. The winner faces the winner of the Tennessee-Chatanooga/Western Michigan game at noon.
