Wildcats Extend Winning Streak to 13, Clinch Series Win Over Purdue

Saturday, April 20

Evanston, Ill.

1 p.m. CT

Northwestern

35-7, 0

Purdue

30-19, 0

Purdue

Northwestern

Wildcats Extend Winning Streak to 13, Clinch Series Win Over Purdue

4/20/2019 3:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 23 Northwestern picked up its 13th consecutive win on Saturday in an 8-2 victory over Purdue. The win gave the Wildcats another series win and tied their best start in the Big Ten since 2005 as they improved to 14-0.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead behind an impressive first inning at the plate. After Rachel Lewis began the game with a lead-off walk, Morgan Nelson and Maeve Nelson laced back-to-back doubles to put the 'Cats on top, 2-0. Later in the inning, Jordyn Rudd blasted an RBI-single deep to center field, scoring Maeve Nelson and picking up her team-leading 40th RBI on the season.

Northwestern struck two more times in the opening frame, as Nikki Cuchran scored on a wild pitch and Morgan Newport found home on a fielder's choice. Every Wildcat batter saw a plate appearance in the first, and the team amassed a 5-0 lead.

The Northwestern offense would keep churning in the bottom of the second as Morgan Nelson crushed a lead-off home-run to left-center to extend the lead to six. The swing was Nelson's second homer of the series and her sixth of the season. The 'Cats knocked in another run, behind an RBI-single from Mac Dunlap, extending the 'Cats lead to 7-0. This marks the second-straight game Dunlap has recorded a hit, all four of her hits this season have drove in a run.

After a few quiet innings, the offense came back to life in the bottom half of the fifth, once again starting with a Lewis lead-off walk. Morgan Nelson continued her impressive 3-for-4, two RBI day with another double down the left-field line, moving Lewis to third. Lewis crossed home plate on a wild pitch in the next at-bat, extending Northwestern's lead back to six.

Kaley Winegarner got the start in the circle for Northwestern and allowed just three hits in 2.1 innings, before handing off the game to Kenna Wilkey. In relief, Wilkey continued the effort as she allowed just two hits and no earned runs in 4.2 innings of work, picking up her ninth win of the year.

Chicago's Big Ten Team will return Sunday afternoon for the series conclusion against Purdue, as they look to start 15-0 in Big Ten play for the first time ever. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. Seniors Morgan Nelson and Lily Novak will be honored prior to the start of them game.

••••••
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!