Northwestern University Athletics

Seventh Inning Rally Lifts Wildcats Past Buckeyes
3/14/2021 3:32:00 PM | Softball
Northwestern sits alone at first place in the Big Ten with an 11-1 record after two weeks of action.
LEESBURG, Fla. – Northwestern claimed the rubber match in a three-game series against Ohio State in an exciting come-from-behind 3-2 victory on Sunday to improve its record to 11-1 on the early season.
Down 2-0 headed into the top of the 7th inning, the Wildcats staged a furious rally to take a 3-2 lead. Skyler Shellmyer got things started in the top half of the inning with a one-out infield single. Rachel Lewis reached on an error to move Shellmyer into scoring position. One batter later, Jordyn Rudd drove in the first Wildcat run of the game on a two-out single to cut the deficit in half.
Still with two outs, Morgan Newport came up to the plate and drove a ball to the gap in right-center field for a two-RBI triple scoring Lewis and Rudd, who lost her shoe rounding third. Newport finished with a team-leading five RBI in the series. Danielle Williams closed out the game in the bottom half of the inning, striking out the last two batters of the game.
Williams started the game and turned in yet another dominant performance to move to 7-0 on the season. After shutting out the Buckeyes in yesterday's win, Williams struck out 10 batters today in her fourth complete game of the season.
Nikki Cuchran reached base in three of her four plate appearances. Her 6th inning hit into center field was the first hit of the game for the Wildcats. Lewis also added a stolen base, to move her to a perfect 10 steals on 10 attempts on the year. Lewis' 10 steals also leads all Big Ten players.
Northwestern is back in action in two weeks when the Wildcats return home to play a game for the first time in over 22 months when they face Wisconsin on Friday, March 26, at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.
Down 2-0 headed into the top of the 7th inning, the Wildcats staged a furious rally to take a 3-2 lead. Skyler Shellmyer got things started in the top half of the inning with a one-out infield single. Rachel Lewis reached on an error to move Shellmyer into scoring position. One batter later, Jordyn Rudd drove in the first Wildcat run of the game on a two-out single to cut the deficit in half.
Still with two outs, Morgan Newport came up to the plate and drove a ball to the gap in right-center field for a two-RBI triple scoring Lewis and Rudd, who lost her shoe rounding third. Newport finished with a team-leading five RBI in the series. Danielle Williams closed out the game in the bottom half of the inning, striking out the last two batters of the game.
Who's bringing the juice?!?! @MorganNewport18 is bringing the juice!!!!
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) March 14, 2021
2 RBI triple brings in @rlewis_11 and @jordynrudd63 (who scored despite losing a shoe rounding third)
T7 | NU 3, OSU 2 pic.twitter.com/XAUvpz9X0m
Williams started the game and turned in yet another dominant performance to move to 7-0 on the season. After shutting out the Buckeyes in yesterday's win, Williams struck out 10 batters today in her fourth complete game of the season.
Nikki Cuchran reached base in three of her four plate appearances. Her 6th inning hit into center field was the first hit of the game for the Wildcats. Lewis also added a stolen base, to move her to a perfect 10 steals on 10 attempts on the year. Lewis' 10 steals also leads all Big Ten players.
Northwestern is back in action in two weeks when the Wildcats return home to play a game for the first time in over 22 months when they face Wisconsin on Friday, March 26, at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.
Players Mentioned
Softball - 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





















