Northwestern
20-0, 0
Iowa
14-10, 0
Wildcats Sweep Iowa in Saturday Doubleheader
4/17/2021 9:11:00 PM | Softball
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Northwestern added two more wins against the Iowa Hawkeyes in a Saturday doubleheader first with a 9-7 comeback win followed by a strong 7-4 finish to secure the series victory.
Maeve Nelson led the 'Cats throughout the doubleheader. She posted five RBI, a homer, and six hits across both games. Danielle Williams and Morgan Newport held things down in the circle. Williams only allowed four runs striking out 14 over two games, and Newport threw 5.0 innings and allowed just two runs while striking out three.
The Wildcats came roaring back from a 7-1 deficit in the fifth and sixth innings of their first game to clinch the win 9-7. With two outs and Newport on first base, Nelson got things started for the 'Cats in the fifth with a home run to left field. Angela Zedak followed with a homer of her own, bringing Northwestern within reach of a win.
With the bases loaded in the sixth, Jordyn Rudd reached base on an error allowing Skyler Shellmyer and Emma Bartz to score. Northwestern had plenty of outs left when Newport singled allowing Rachel Lewis to score and tie things up. Zedak came in with a huge double to clean things up and score Newport and Sammy Stanley, putting the 'Cats up 9-7.
Newport and Williams combined to hold the Hawkeyes scoreless for the final innings. Williams recorded the save in game one, striking out five of the six batters she faced in 2.0 innings pitched following her seven-inning perfect game on Friday.
Northwestern broke loose in the third inning of their second game, scoring four runs. With two outs, Newport doubled to score Rudd. Nelson followed with a single and Newport snuck in a run. Zedak hit a triple to score Nelson and Sydney Supple singled to score Zedak.
With the bases loaded in the sixth, Newport was hit by a pitch to send Shellmyer home. A wild pitch sent everyone forward a base and scored Lewis. A Nelson single scored Stanley and with a 7-0 lead, the 'Cats never looked back.
Williams held the Hawkeyes back for six innings before Supple came in to pitch a final inning of scoreless relief.
The Wildcats will return to the diamond tomorrow with three wins under their belt to face Iowa for a final time at noon CT on Big Ten Network+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Newport, Morgan (4-2)
L: Shaw (4-2)
S: Williams, Danielle (1)
Batting:
2B: Zedak, Angela 1
HR: Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Zedak, Angela 1
RBI: Rudd, Jordyn 1 ; Newport, Morgan 1 ; Nelson, Maeve 3 ; Zedak, Angela 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Shellmyer, Skyler 1 ; Lewis, Rachel 2 ; Stanley, Sammy 1 ; Newport, Morgan 2 ; Nelson, Maeve 1 ; Zedak, Angela 1 ; Bartz, Emma 1
SB: Stanley, Sammy 1
HBP: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Newport, Morgan 1 ; Schultz, Ashley 1
Batting:
2B: Milkowski 1 ; Peek 1
RBI: Milkowski 1 ; Loecker 1 ; Peek 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Klosterman 2 ; Sheehy 2 ; Guy 1 ; Loecker 1 ; DeSena 1
SB: Sheehy 1 ; DeSena 1 ; N. Carter 1
