Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, February 15
Chapel Hill, N.C.
10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET
Northwestern
5-1
9
vs
8
Louisville
3-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Northwestern
3
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
1
9
11
1
Louisville
5
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
8
9
3
‘Cats Open B1G/ACC Challenge With Thrilling Extra-Innings Win
2/15/2019 3:00:00 PM | Softball
Chapel Hill, N.C. – Maeve Nelson hit the eventual game-winning homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, the first long ball of her career, as Northwestern opened its weekend at the B1G/ACC Challenge with a thrilling 9-8 extra-innings victory over Louisville.
The Wildcats trailed 8-3 and were down to their final three outs in the top of the seventh inning before storming back with a five-run rally to tie the game. From there, Danielle Williams headed to the circle to pitch and threw 3.0 scoreless innings as she improved to 4-0 on the season.
Northwestern got off to a fast start to open the game as the first three batters of the game all reached base and came around to score, with Nikki Cuchran and Kenna Wilkey each driving in a run. However, Louisville regained the lead later in the first inning.
Morgan Newport entered to pitch in the second inning and allowed three runs (one earned) over 5.0 innings while striking out four to help keep the 'Cats in striking distance.
After stranding at least one runner on base from the second through sixth innings, the #B1GCats offense came alive in the seventh inning as Newport and Lily Novak each hit an RBI-single to cut into the deficit.
Trailing by three runs, Rachel Lewis drew a bases-loaded walk and, two batters later, Jordyn Rudd was hit by a pitch to drive in another run and make the score 8-7. With two outs and the bases loaded, Cuchran came through with an RBI, her second of the game, to drive in Skyler Shellmyer and tie the game, 8-8.
Nelson's homer in the top of the ninth would prove to be the difference, as Williams shut Louisville down in the bottom of the ninth. Nelson finished the game 2-for-5, marking the first multi-hit game of her career. At the plate, Williams also turned in her first-career multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Newport led the Wildcats with a career-high tying three hits, extending her hitting streak to five-straight games. Batting in the leadoff spot, Lewis reached base five times in her six plate appearances after she drew a career-high four walks and was hit by a pitch once.
Now 5-1 on the season, Northwestern is off to its best start to a season since 2008. The Wildcats will finish their double-header tonight at 5:30 p.m. central time against the host, North Carolina. Fans can watch on the ACC Network or follow along to @NUSBCats on Twitter for updates.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow@NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
The Wildcats trailed 8-3 and were down to their final three outs in the top of the seventh inning before storming back with a five-run rally to tie the game. From there, Danielle Williams headed to the circle to pitch and threw 3.0 scoreless innings as she improved to 4-0 on the season.
Northwestern got off to a fast start to open the game as the first three batters of the game all reached base and came around to score, with Nikki Cuchran and Kenna Wilkey each driving in a run. However, Louisville regained the lead later in the first inning.
Morgan Newport entered to pitch in the second inning and allowed three runs (one earned) over 5.0 innings while striking out four to help keep the 'Cats in striking distance.
After stranding at least one runner on base from the second through sixth innings, the #B1GCats offense came alive in the seventh inning as Newport and Lily Novak each hit an RBI-single to cut into the deficit.
Trailing by three runs, Rachel Lewis drew a bases-loaded walk and, two batters later, Jordyn Rudd was hit by a pitch to drive in another run and make the score 8-7. With two outs and the bases loaded, Cuchran came through with an RBI, her second of the game, to drive in Skyler Shellmyer and tie the game, 8-8.
Nelson's homer in the top of the ninth would prove to be the difference, as Williams shut Louisville down in the bottom of the ninth. Nelson finished the game 2-for-5, marking the first multi-hit game of her career. At the plate, Williams also turned in her first-career multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Newport led the Wildcats with a career-high tying three hits, extending her hitting streak to five-straight games. Batting in the leadoff spot, Lewis reached base five times in her six plate appearances after she drew a career-high four walks and was hit by a pitch once.
Now 5-1 on the season, Northwestern is off to its best start to a season since 2008. The Wildcats will finish their double-header tonight at 5:30 p.m. central time against the host, North Carolina. Fans can watch on the ACC Network or follow along to @NUSBCats on Twitter for updates.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow@NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Danielle (4-0)
L: Watson (1-2)
Batting:
HR: Nelson, Maeve 1
RBI: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Cuchran, Nikki 2 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Wilkey, Kenna 1 ; Novak, Lily 1
SH: Nelson, Maeve 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Nelson, Morgan 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Stees, Eva 1 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Newport, Morgan 1 ; Williams, Danielle 1 ; Novak, Lily 1 ; Shellmyer, Skyler 1
SB: Lewis, Rachel 1
HBP: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1
Batting:
2B: Ferguson 1
3B: Funke 1 ; Hensley 1
HR: Hensley 1 ; Chung 1
RBI: Funke 1 ; Hensley 3 ; Chung 2
SH: Ferguson 1 ; Chung 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Melton 1 ; Funke 2 ; Hensley 1 ; Roby 1 ; Ferguson 1 ; Chung 1 ; Wolfe 1
SB: Funke 1 ; Wolfe 1 ; Schindler, R 1
CS: Melton 1 ; Funke 1
HBP: Melton 1 ; Chung 2 ; Newman 1
Game Leaders
rf/p
AB
6
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
IF/OF
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballP/U
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
C/U
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballP/U
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