Northwestern University Athletics
No. 15 Wildcats Host Spartans for Senior Weekend
4/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 28, 2005
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 15 Northwestern welcomes Michigan State to Evanston this weekend for the final home Big Ten action of the season at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. The Wildcats will celebrate Senior Day during Saturday's contest, honoring Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) as NU's lone senior.
Mobley has been one of the most steady performers in Northwestern history, having already claimed the school's career records for runs scored and total bases. Before the season is out, she will likely claim the career hits mark, too.
While the Wildcats will celebrate a stellar career this weekend, there is something even bigger on tap. Because of various cancellations last weekend, Northwestern's magic number has shrunk to two. The Wildcats hold first place in the Big Ten with a perfect 14-0 record, while top-ranked Michigan is in second with an 11-2 mark.
Sophomore Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) continues to lead the Big Ten in batting with a whopping .448 average, .35 points better than the second-best total of .413. Also continuing a monstrous year is Conference Freshman of the Year candidate Stephanie Churchwell (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro), who is third overall in the Big Ten with a .410 average and is the leader in League action with 25 hits and 17 runs scored.
Junior Jamie Dotson (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) is one of the nation's leaders in runs batted in, while pitchers Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) and Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif./Paradise) help combine for the 13th best team ERA in the nation.
The Wildcats must face a formidable Michigan State team that has made some noise in the Big Ten this season despite a sub-.500 overall record. Rachel Turney is rated among the Conference leaders in the circle, carrying a 1.76 ERA with 140 strikeouts into the weekend. Victoria Morache leads the Spartans in batting with a .341 average, while Traci Nicosia has a team-best 18 RBIs and five triples.
Game Facts
Sharon J. Drysdale Field, Evanston, Ill.
• Fri., April 29, 2005, 3 p.m. CT
Northwestern vs. Michigan State (20-24-1, 6-6)
• Sat., April 30, 2005, Noon CT
Northwestern vs. Michigan State
The Series
Series With Michigan State: Northwestern leads, 53-27
Last Result: 2-0, Michigan State (May 15, 2004 at Big Ten Tournament)
Series Streak: 2, Michigan State
