Sunday, March 4

Seattle, Wash.

Noon CT/10 a.m. PT

Northwestern

10-8

Alabama

12-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Alabama	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Northwestern	0	0	4	0	0	0	X	4	6	1

Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera

Newport, #B1GCats Blank No. 11 'Bama, 4-0

3/4/2018 1:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

SEATTLE – Morgan Newport fired a three-hit shutout and Rachel Lewis smoked a three-run home run to lead Northwestern to a 4-0 win over No. 11 Alabama Sunday on a getaway day at the Husky Classic.

Northwestern finishes 3-2 in the Husky Classic and now is 10-8 overall on the season. Alabama falls to 12-5 with its loss.

Northwestern returns to the field March 9-11 at the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic hosted by the University of Houston.

Newport allowed just three hits and three walks with fanning three batters to complete her gem, which was the first complete-game shutout of the sophomore's career and just the second time she has ever gone seven complete in the circle. Newport now is 4-2 on the year with the win.

Alabama got runners to third with two outs in both the first and third innings, but both times Newport was able to keep the Crimson Tide at bay. The Wildcats did not get their first base runner of the game until the bottom of the third, but oh boy did they take advantage.

With one out in the third, Sammy Nettling blooped a single over first base. With two outs, Sabrina Rabin singled back through the middle before Marissa Panko connected for a single over the third baseman's head that allowed Nettling to race around for the game's first run.

First-year Lewis followed with the big stick, lining a three-run home run over the wall in left to make the score 4-0. The shot was the third of the year for Lewis.

Alabama drew a four-pitch walk to begin the next half inning, but Newport bore down and retired the next three Crimson Tide batters in order for a textbook Shutdown Inning.

The Wildcats nearly added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with two outs on a Rabin single, a Lewis HBP and a two-out Lily Novak walk. Brooke Marquez smoked a line drive into center, but the fielder came racing in and sank to her knees to make a lunging grab and keep it a four-run game, 4-0.

The Crimson Tide put some pressure on the Wildcats in the top of the sixth, drawing a pair of one-out walks. Newport unleashed a nasty two-strike offering on a pinch hitter to get the second out via a whiff, then Rabin raced in to glove a low liner in center, ending the inning.

Newport was exquisite in the top of the seventh, retiring the side in order including a swinging K to end the game.

Rabin and Nettling each finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. Panko had NU's first RBI and Lewis delivered the big blow for a three RBI performance.