Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, March 11
Leesburg, Fla.
3:15 pm CT
Northwestern
7-0, 0
8
vs
0
Indiana
4-3, 0
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Indiana
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
Northwestern
0
2
4
2
X
8
9
0
'Cats Sweep Indiana, Improve to 8-0
3/11/2021 7:21:00 PM | Softball
LEESBURG, Fla. – Northwestern (8-0) improved on its best start in program history with two decisive victories over the Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday evening to kick off a six-game weekend slate in Leesburg.
The Wildcats set the tone in game one with an 8-0 run-rule victory in five innings, followed by an 8-1 victory in game two of the doubleheader.
Danielle Williams impressed in the circle in game one, allows just two hits in 5.0 scoreless innings while striking out seven of the 19 batters she faced on the game. The junior ace has yet to allow a run in 18.0 innings of action to open the season.
Crafty baserunning got the Wildcats on the board to open game one as Emma Bartz stole second and forced an errant throw to bring home herself and Mac Dunlap for the first two runs of the game.
The 'Cats added to their lead with four runs in the third inning. Back-to-back doubles from Rachel Lewis and Maeve Nelson jumpstarted the rally, while Angela Zedak drove in two additional runs with an RBI to left field. Nikki Cuchran also notched an RBI-single in the inning and went 2-for-2 at the plate in game one.
The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas pedal in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Jordyn Rudd drove in two more runs to extend the lead to 8-0. From there, Williams shut the door as the 'Cats posted their fourth shutout in seven games.
Northwestern's offense stayed hot in game two, plating six runs in the first inning before the Hoosiers could even step to the plate.
In the circle for game two, first-year Lauren Boyd made the start and improved her record to 3-0 on the early season. The first-year phenom allowed just three hits and one unearned run in 6.0 innings while striking out five.
Rudd got the offense going in game two with a two-RBI triple to center field to bring home Nelson and Lewis. After plating two more runs via passed balls, Hannah Cady kept up the rally with a two-RBI single down the right field line to give the Wildcats' a 6-0 advantage in the top of the first.
In the fourth inning, Morgan Newport launchde a solo home run deep to center field to extend the Wildcats lead to eight.
The Wildcats have now outscored opponents 57-6 through their first eight games. Chicago's Big Ten Team will close out their series against the Hoosiers tomorrow at 12:30 pm CT.
The Wildcats set the tone in game one with an 8-0 run-rule victory in five innings, followed by an 8-1 victory in game two of the doubleheader.
Danielle Williams impressed in the circle in game one, allows just two hits in 5.0 scoreless innings while striking out seven of the 19 batters she faced on the game. The junior ace has yet to allow a run in 18.0 innings of action to open the season.
Crafty baserunning got the Wildcats on the board to open game one as Emma Bartz stole second and forced an errant throw to bring home herself and Mac Dunlap for the first two runs of the game.
The 'Cats added to their lead with four runs in the third inning. Back-to-back doubles from Rachel Lewis and Maeve Nelson jumpstarted the rally, while Angela Zedak drove in two additional runs with an RBI to left field. Nikki Cuchran also notched an RBI-single in the inning and went 2-for-2 at the plate in game one.
The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas pedal in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Jordyn Rudd drove in two more runs to extend the lead to 8-0. From there, Williams shut the door as the 'Cats posted their fourth shutout in seven games.
Northwestern's offense stayed hot in game two, plating six runs in the first inning before the Hoosiers could even step to the plate.
In the circle for game two, first-year Lauren Boyd made the start and improved her record to 3-0 on the early season. The first-year phenom allowed just three hits and one unearned run in 6.0 innings while striking out five.
Rudd got the offense going in game two with a two-RBI triple to center field to bring home Nelson and Lewis. After plating two more runs via passed balls, Hannah Cady kept up the rally with a two-RBI single down the right field line to give the Wildcats' a 6-0 advantage in the top of the first.
In the fourth inning, Morgan Newport launchde a solo home run deep to center field to extend the Wildcats lead to eight.
Ball ?? barrel@MorganNewport18 gives us the first homerun of the season!!! ??
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) March 12, 2021
T4 | NU 8, IU 0 pic.twitter.com/BVIq8QJffN
The Wildcats have now outscored opponents 57-6 through their first eight games. Chicago's Big Ten Team will close out their series against the Hoosiers tomorrow at 12:30 pm CT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Danielle (4-0)
L: Goodin (1-1)
Base Running:
SB: Andrews 1
CS: Andrews 1
HBP: Radcliffe 1 ; Lacefield 1
Batting:
2B: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Zedak, Angela 1
RBI: Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 2 ; Cuchran, Nikki 1 ; Zedak, Angela 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lewis, Rachel 2 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Cuchran, Nikki 1 ; Bartz, Emma 1 ; Shellmyer, Skyler 1 ; Dunlap, Mac 1
SB: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Bartz, Emma 1 ; Dunlap, Mac 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
dh/1b
AB
2
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P/IF
/ Softball
IF/C
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballIF/OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P/U
/ SoftballC/U
/ Softball
P/U
/ Softball
U
/ SoftballSoftball - Lauren Boyd Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Blank Kentucky in NCAA Regional (5/16/25)
Friday, May 16
Softball - 'Cats Storm Back, Secure Series Victory at No. 8 UCLA (5/4/25)
Sunday, May 04
Softball - 'Cats Earn 8-0 Run-Rule Win at No. 8 UCLA (5/2/25)
Saturday, May 03
Softball - Kaylie Avvisato Hits Walk-Off Home Run, 'Cats Take Series vs. Wisconsin (4/27/25)
Sunday, April 27
