Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Cal Poly
Cal Poly Upsets No. 6 Northwestern, 8-2
2/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2007
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Getaway day at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic proved to be rough for No. 6 Northwestern, with the Wildcats ending up on the wrong end of an 8-2 decision Sunday morning against Cal Poly.
The loss was Northwestern's first of the Classic, giving NU a 4-1 record for the tournament and a 6-4 mark overall. Cal Poly improves to 6-3 on the season, 3-2 in the Classic.
Cal Poly opened the scoring in the top of the third inning, getting a leadoff double down the right-field line before Sarah Iwata hit a two-run home run to give the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.
Northwestern attempted a rally of its own in the bottom half of the third, loading the bases with one out on a single by Darcy Sengewald (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East), an error on a grounder by Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo./Osceola) and an intentional walk to senior Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic).
Cal Poly starter Helen Pena (2-1) was able to get out of the jam, however, with a strikeout and a pop up.
A trio of Northwestern miscues aided in three more runs for the Mustangs in the top of the fourth, extending the Wildcats' deficit to five, 5-0. Midway through the inning, freshman Lauren Delaney (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias) came into the circle in relief. All of the runs in the inning were unearned and were charged to starter Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif./Paradise).
The Wildcats again put a runner into scoring position in the bottom of the fifth, getting a leadoff walk from Sengewald and a sacrifice bunt from senior Katie Logan (Tempe, Ariz./Corona del Sol) before a fielder's choice ball from Williams erased Sengewald and put Williams at second. The Mustangs then intentionally walked Cooper for the second time before getting themselves out of the inning with a strikeout.
The intentional passes to Cooper were the 22nd and 23rd of her career; she ranks sixth in NCAA Division I history in the category.
Cal Poly added three more in the top of the sixth with another two-run homer and an RBI double to take an 8-0 advantage.
Northwestern scratched itself onto the board in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Jessica Miller (Elberfeld, Ind./Techumseh) led off the frame with a hit by pitch, then moved to third when Erin Dyer (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport) doubled off the fence in center field.
A single through the right side by sophomore Erin Hampshire (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) plated Miller to make the score 8-1 and moved Dyer to third. Logan then singled up the middle to score Dyer and make it an 8-2 game.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh on a walk to Cooper and singles by Nicole Pauly (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) and Emily Haug (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias). Again, no runs would come of the situation.
Canney took the loss to drop to 2-4 on the year, going 3.2 innings and allowing five runs -- two earned -- on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Delaney threw 3.1 innings and allowed three runs on three hits and three walks with six Ks.
Erin Dyer finished 2-for-4 for the 'Cats with a run scored and a double.
Northwestern returns to action next weekend, Feb. 23-25, at the Palm Springs Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.
