Wildcats Thrash Tulsa 9-1 in Run-Rule Victory

3/9/2019 12:50:00 PM | Softball

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NORMAN, Okla. – Northwestern erupted on offense Saturday morning to take down Tulsa, 9-1, in five innings by run rule.

Senior Morgan Nelson led the Wildcats at the plate, going 2-3 for three RBI with a triple. First year Jordyn Rudd went 3-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

First year Nikki Cuchran launched the first home run of her career and added two RBI to her season total.

Danielle Williams turned in another solid outing in the circle, throwing 5.0 innings, allowing just three hits, one run and one walk while striking out seven. She improved to 12-2 in her first year season.

The Wildcats boosted their record to 16-5 and are now 2-1 in Oklahoma on the weekend.

Maeve Nelson and Morgan Newport both chipped in on offense as well, each recording a double and a walk. Nelson scored two runs and Newport scored a team-high three runs.

Northwestern jumped the Golden Hurricane in the first inning, continuing their trend of strong starts this season. Maeve Nelson started a two out rally with a double to center and scored after Cuchran reached on an error to make it 1-0.

After a walk from Newport, Emma Bartz took over on the bases for Cuchran and scored the next at-bat on a Rudd single. The run was Bartz' ninth of the season, and the 'Cats improved to 9-0 when she crosses the plate.

The 'Cats tacked on their third of the inning with a single from Morgan Nelson to bring home Newport.

Northwestern exploded once more in the third. After a leadoff walk from Maeve Nelson, Cuchran blasted a home run over the right field fence to make it 5-0.

After a pitching change, Newport worked an eight-pitch at-bat before doubling to left center. Rudd brought her home with a single for her second RBI of the day to increase the lead to six. The 'Cats made it seven when Lily Novak reached on an error to bring home Rudd.

After Tulsa scratched one across in the top of the fourth, Northwestern put themselves in run-rule territory with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. Newport and Rudd reached base and Morgan Nelson scorched a triple down the right field to clear the bases and make it 9-1.

The #B1GCats are back in action later today with their fourth game of the weekend against Grand Canyon. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. CT.

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