Wildcat Bats Stay Hot to Sweep Day Two In Oklahoma

3/9/2019 6:25:00 PM | Softball

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NORMAN, Okla. – Following a nine-run output in their first game of the day against Tulsa, Northwestern's offense turned in another impressive performance as the Wildcats cruised to a 7-2 win over Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats led wire to wire after scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. The 'Cats are now 11-0 in games in which they score in the first inning. Furthermore, Northwestern has scored in the opening frame in half (11/22) of its games this season and outscored its opponents 32-9 in the first inning.

Kenna Wilkey tossed a complete game, her third of the season, and improved to 5-2 on the year after allowing just five hits and two runs over 7.0 innings while striking out seven.

Northwestern improves to 17-5 on the season and is now 3-1 on the weekend in Norman.

Four different Wildcats registered multi-hit games, led by Morgan Nelson who reached base four times, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI. Both Nikki Cuchran and Jordyn Rudd continued their hot streaks at the plate, as each went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Lily Novak went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Maeve Nelson drew three walks and led the team with three run scored.

The Wildcats started the scoring off in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI-single by Rudd to center field to bring home Maeve Nelson. Morgan Nelson drew a walk the next at-bat to score Cuchran.

The bats stayed hot in the second inning after Novak led the inning off with a single. With two outs, Morgan Newport drove in Novak with a single to right-center. After adding another run via a throwing error, Rudd helped extend the 'Cats lead even further with a single up the middle to drive in Emma Bartz, marking Rudd's 25th RBI on the season.

The #B1GCats added two more runs in the top of the third inning after Cuchran ended a 10 pitch at-bat with a double to left-center to bring home Novak and Maeve Nelson.

Wilkey allowed two runs to score in the second inning, but then settled in and threw five scoreless innings to close the game out, allowing just one hit during that span.

Northwestern will return to action for its final game of the weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m. for a rematch with No. 3 Oklahoma.

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