Wildcats 10-Game Win Streak Snapped In Loss To Gophers

3/25/2018 2:38:00 PM | Softball

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern's comeback magic from Friday and Saturday ran out Sunday in an 8-0 (5) loss to Minnesota at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.

The Wildcats' loss in the series finale snapped a 10 game winning streak, the first double-digit streak since NU won 12 in a row during the 2009 season. Northwestern won the series against Minnesota, 2-1, but falls to 19-9 overall on the season, 2-1 in the conference with the Sunday result. The Gophers improve to 18-13 on the year, 1-2 in the Big Ten.

Northwestern travels to Illinois Wednesday, March 28, for a 3 p.m. Big Ten doubleheader live on BTN before returning home March 30-April 1 to host Nebraska at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.

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After playing from behind in each of the first two games in the series, Northwestern found itself trailing after two pitches on Sunday. The leadoff Gopher batter singled into the outfield where it got past the fielder for an error, giving Minnesota an immediate runner on third. The next batter hit a sacrifice fly into left to give the Gophers the early 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second, the first two Gophers to the plate reached. Starter Morgan Newport was able to retire the next two batters, but a pair of two-out doubles gave Minnesota a 4-0 advantage.

The Golden Gophers continued to press the gas in the top of the third. After the first two batters to the plate reached, senior Nicole Bond entered the circle in relief of Newport. Minnesota was not thwarted, however, plating three more to make it a 7-0 contest.

Sabrina Rabin beat out an infield single with two outs in the bottom of the third to extend her current hitting streak to 11 games, but she finished the inning still at first base.

The Gophers loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the fourth, leading Kenna Wilkey to take over in the circle for Bond. The first batter Wilkey faced hit a fly ball to right where Brooke Marquez caught it, but the runner at third was able to score to push the score to 8-0. Wilkey limited further damage when she caught a line drive bunt right back at her, then doubled up a runner at third.

With the score the same in the bottom of the fifth, Sammy Nettling crushed a one-out double into the gap in right-centerfield. Abbey Boyd entered to run for her and quickly took third on a wild pitch, but no runs would be forthcoming for the 'Cats on this day.

Newport (9-3) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks with a strikeout in 2.0 innings. Bond was charged with two runs on three hits and two walks with a K in 1.0 inning, and Wilkey went 2.0 scoreless in relief, allowing only a single walk.