'Cats sweep doubleheader on Day 1 of B1G/ACC Challenge

Friday, February 15

Chapel Hill, N.C.

5:30 p.m. CT/6:30 p.m. ET

Northwestern

6-1

North Carolina

3-3

Northwestern

North Carolina

'Cats sweep doubleheader on Day 1 of B1G/ACC Challenge

2/15/2019 11:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Chapel Hill, N.C. – Following a thrilling extra-innings victory to open the weekend in Chapel Hill, the Northwestern bats stayed hot as the Wildcats cruised to a 9-3 victory over the host, North Carolina, and improved to 2-0 in this weekend's B1G/ACC Challenge.

Northwestern took the lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a Morgan Nelson home run, her first of the season and 24th of her career, and did not trail the rest of the way–adding two more runs in the second and third innings as well as four in the top of the seventh.

Danielle Williams earned her second win of the day and fifth of the season as she tossed a complete game, striking out eight while allowing just two earned runs over 7.0 innings. The first-year pitcher from Pleasanton, Calif. has now gone the distance in each of her three starts this season. Her five wins on the year lead all Big Ten pitchers, while her 34 strikeouts rank second.

Following Nelson's homer in the first inning, the 'Cats extended their lead in the second inning via an RBI-double from Lily Novak to bring home Maeve Nelson. Later that inning, some crafty base running helped Novak score on a passed ball. Novak reached base four times in the game, going 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored.

Morgan Newport kept the runs coming in the third inning as she belted a two-run homer over the left field fence to score her and Emma Bartz. The home run marked the second of Newport's career and her first of the season. It also extended her hitting streak to a team-leading six-straight games.

In the top of the seventh inning, Jordyn Rudd drove in three runs with a bases-clearing double to left-center and then scored on the next at-bat thanks to a triple from Nikki Cuchran, the first of her career. Rudd's season RBI total now sits at 14 after seven games, tied for the most in the Big Ten.

The #B1GCats now sit at 6-1 on the season, marking their best start since 2008 in which they started 7-1. Next up, Chicago's Big Ten team will have a rematch against the Tar Heels on Saturday afternoon for a 2 p.m. matinee, fans can 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!