Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Opens Big Ten Season at Nebraska
3/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 21, 2012
Northwestern's Nebraska Series Game Notes (PDF Format) 
Watch Northwestern's Home Season Preview Video!
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a strong finish to its 2012 Spring Break trip in Florida, Northwestern opens the Big Ten season March 23-24 at the conference's newest member: Nebraska.
With the addition of the Cornhuskers, the Big Ten schedule has shifted dramatically. Instead of playing two-game sets against every other team in the league, schools now will play three-game series against eight other opponents. NU's no-plays in 2012 are Michigan, Purdue and Penn State. While no Big Ten Tournament exists in 2012, it will return in 2013.
The Wildcats and the Cornhuskers break ground on the conference season at 5 p.m. CT Friday, March 23, before playing a doubleheader Saturday, March 24, with a 1 p.m. CT scheduled first pitch. There will be no BTN streaming or coverage, however live audio is available from Huskers.com and NUsports.com will have Gametracker and @NU_SportsLIVE to follow all of the action.
Northwestern is coming off two run-rule victories Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla. First, NU touched up UMass and its All-America pitcher Sara Plourde for 13 runs in a 13-5 (5) win. Northwestern then got the first college shutout for freshman Amy Letourneau in an 8-0 (5) win against Hartford.
Northwestern's nonconference schedule included 11 games against teams ranked in the current USA Today/NFCA coaches poll and six contests against the current top-10. NU went 2-9 in those contests. Nebraska has faced a similar meat grinder to start the year, playing nine times against ranked foes and compiling a 2-7 record against them.
WILDCATS MEET JOE GIRARDI
NU ended spring break with a visit to New York Yankees spring training, where former Wildcats' All-America catcher and current Yankees manager Joe Girardi spent 20 minutes chatting with the 'Cats. After his team beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, Girardi called NU head coach Kate Drohan's cell to wish the 'Cats luck against the Huskers.
For a complete recap of the meeting, check out the NUSports.com blog.
HOME OPENER IS MARCH 28!
Be sure to come out to Sharon J. Drysdale Field for Northwestern's home opener at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, against UIC. Check out this preseason video to get ready for some NU Softball!
For Northwestern's complete Nebraska series game notes package, download the .pdf at the top of this page.
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