Walk-Off Winners! 'Cats Open Weekend With Extra-Innings Win

3/8/2019 6:40:00 PM | Softball

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NORMAN, Okla. – Northwestern opened its weekend in Oklahoma in thrilling fashion with a 2-1 extra-innings win over Drake thanks to a walk-off single from Nikki Cuchran.

The Wildcats entered the bottom of the seventh inning trailing by one run but rallied to tie the game and force extra innings. This already marks the fifth time this season the Wildcats have won when either tied or trailing after the sixth inning.

Danielle Williams was the hero in the bottom of the seventh inning, as she tied the game with an RBI-single to center field. She also earned her 11th win of the season after tossing a complete game and allowing just one run and four hits in 8.0 innings while striking out 12.

Both teams had just one combined hit through the game's first five innings in what was a true pitcher's duel between Williams and Drake's Nicole Newman. After a first-inning walk, Williams retired 15-consecutive batters which included five-straight strikeouts and a seven-pitch inning in the top of the fourth inning. She did not allow a hit until the sixth inning.

Drake took the lead with a two-out single in the sixth inning. Down to their final three outs, Morgan Newport began the rally for the #B1GCats in the bottom of the seventh inning with a lead-off double to left field, her seventh extra-base hit of the season. Eva Stees entered to pinch run and came home to score one batter later on a single by Williams.

A double play helped the Wildcats put up a scoreless frame in the top of the eighth inning, and Rachel Lewis kept the momentum rolling with a lead-off single to open the bottom of the eighth. Maeve Nelson laid down a sacrifice bunt the next at-bat and ended up reaching base herself as Lewis moved to scoring position. The next at-bat, Cuchran roped a single to left field to bring Lewis home and walk the game off.

Cuchran finished the day 2-for-4, marking her team-high seventh multi-hit effort of the season. Skyler Shellmyer also reached base twice from the lead-off spot, going 1-for-3 with a walk.

With the win, Northwestern improves to 15-4 on the season. The #B1GCats will be back in action right away with a Friday night showdown against the tournament hosts, No. 3 Oklahoma.

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