Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, April 6
Lincoln, Neb.
1 p.m. CT
Northwestern
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Nebraska
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Northwestern
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Nebraska
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#B1GCats Extend Winning Streak to Six at Nebraska
4/6/2019 4:59:00 PM | Softball
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Northwestern extended its winning streak to a season-best six-straight games on Saturday afternoon with an 8-2 win over Nebraska.
Once again, the Wildcats' offense provided a balanced output as six different players combined for hits, including a grand slam by Nikki Cuchran and a two-run homer from Rachel Lewis to help the 'Cats clinch their third conference series of the season.
Northwestern improves to 28-7 on the season, tied for the best start since in head coach Kate Drohan's 18-year career. The #B1GCats remain undefeated in Big Ten play at 8-0.
In the circle, Kenna Wilkey tossed her fourth complete game of the season and improved to 7-2 after allowing just two runs and five hits while striking out seven. She was also productive at the plate, notching a season-high two hits.
Wilkey escaped a bases loaded jam in the first inning with a clutch strikeout looking. She then retired nine of the next 10 batters she faced before allowing a run to score in the fourth inning.
The Wildcats loaded the bases up in the top of the third inning and jumped out to a commanding lead after Cuchran belted a two-out grand slam to right field to drive in Morgan Nelson, Lewis and Skyler Shellmyer. This marks the second grand slam of the season for Cuchran, who also hit one against Rutgers on March 22 in the Wildcats' home opener. The first-year from Downers Grove, Ill. now has 29 RBI on the season and leads the team with a .357 batting average.
The 'Cats loaded the bases once again in the fourth inning and added another run after Morgan Nelson beat out a ground ball to the third baseman to help drive in Jordyn Rudd.
The Huskers threatened in the bottom of the fifth after the first three batters of the inning reached base. However, Wilkey proceeded to dial up three-straight swinging strikeouts to get out of the inning unscathed.
Lewis extended the NU lead in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run homer off the left field video board to score her and Shellmyer. The sophomore from Liberty Township, Ohio now has a team-high 11 homers on the season and is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with five homers, six RBI, nine runs scored and a .960 slugging percentage through eight Big Ten games this season.
Rudd came through in the top of the seventh inning as she drove in Maeve Nelson with an RBI-single to the left field fence. This marks her third-straight game with an RBI and brings her season total to a team-high 33 on the year.
Chicago's Big Ten Team will look to complete a series sweep tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch set for noon CT.
••••••
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!
Print Friendly Version
Once again, the Wildcats' offense provided a balanced output as six different players combined for hits, including a grand slam by Nikki Cuchran and a two-run homer from Rachel Lewis to help the 'Cats clinch their third conference series of the season.
Northwestern improves to 28-7 on the season, tied for the best start since in head coach Kate Drohan's 18-year career. The #B1GCats remain undefeated in Big Ten play at 8-0.
In the circle, Kenna Wilkey tossed her fourth complete game of the season and improved to 7-2 after allowing just two runs and five hits while striking out seven. She was also productive at the plate, notching a season-high two hits.
Wilkey escaped a bases loaded jam in the first inning with a clutch strikeout looking. She then retired nine of the next 10 batters she faced before allowing a run to score in the fourth inning.
The Wildcats loaded the bases up in the top of the third inning and jumped out to a commanding lead after Cuchran belted a two-out grand slam to right field to drive in Morgan Nelson, Lewis and Skyler Shellmyer. This marks the second grand slam of the season for Cuchran, who also hit one against Rutgers on March 22 in the Wildcats' home opener. The first-year from Downers Grove, Ill. now has 29 RBI on the season and leads the team with a .357 batting average.
The 'Cats loaded the bases once again in the fourth inning and added another run after Morgan Nelson beat out a ground ball to the third baseman to help drive in Jordyn Rudd.
The Huskers threatened in the bottom of the fifth after the first three batters of the inning reached base. However, Wilkey proceeded to dial up three-straight swinging strikeouts to get out of the inning unscathed.
Lewis extended the NU lead in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run homer off the left field video board to score her and Shellmyer. The sophomore from Liberty Township, Ohio now has a team-high 11 homers on the season and is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with five homers, six RBI, nine runs scored and a .960 slugging percentage through eight Big Ten games this season.
Rudd came through in the top of the seventh inning as she drove in Maeve Nelson with an RBI-single to the left field fence. This marks her third-straight game with an RBI and brings her season total to a team-high 33 on the year.
Chicago's Big Ten Team will look to complete a series sweep tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch set for noon CT.
••••••
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!
Print Friendly Version
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wilkey, Kenna (7-2)
L: Walljasper (7-8)
Batting:
HR: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Cuchran, Nikki 1
RBI: Lewis, Rachel 2 ; Cuchran, Nikki 4 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lewis, Rachel 2 ; Nelson, Morgan 1 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Cuchran, Nikki 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Shellmyer, Skyler 2
HBP: Cuchran, Nikki 1
Batting:
2B: Kneib 1
HR: Edwards 1
RBI: Edwards 1 ; Kneib 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Edwards 1 ; Boruff 1
HBP: Owen 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
4
Players Mentioned
IF
/ SoftballIF/OF
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
IF/C
/ Softball
C/U
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballP
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