Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, May 22
Lexington, KY
1:30 pm CT
Northwestern
7
vs
1
Miami (OH)
'Cats 2021 Season Comes to a Close in Lexington
5/22/2021 7:05:00 PM | Softball
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After winning the first of two back-to-back elimination games on the day, Northwestern's 2021 season came to the close in the Lexington Regional on Saturday night with a 7-2 loss to #14 Kentucky at John Cropp Stadium.
In their first elimination game of the day, the Wildcats came out on top with a 7-1 victory over Miami Ohio. The RedHawks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the 'Cats responded with a pair of crucial two-out extra-base hits courtesy of Mac Dunlap and Nikki Cuchran.
Dunlap got the Wildcats on the board in the top of the second inning after a marathon 11 pitch at-bat ended with a bases-clearing three-RBI double to right-center. It marked Dunlap's sixth hit over the last seven games.
With a 3-1 advantage in the top of the fifth inning, Cuchran was the next Wildcat to come through with the bases loaded and two outs. The junior first baseman drove a grand slam over the center field fence for her first home run of the season to extend the Wildcats' lead to 7-1. Cuchran, along with Maeve Nelson each scored two runs in the win over the RedHawks.
After allowing a first-inning home run, Danielle Williams was masterful in the circle, striking out nine and allowing just five hits to pick up the victory.
With the win, Northwestern has now won a game in each of its last four NCAA Tournament appearances.
The 'Cats tallied five hits in their second game vs. Kentucky, led by Skyler Shellmyer recording her team-leading 15th multi-hit game of the season. NU got on the board first in the second inning via a sacrifice fly from Dunlap to score Emma Bartz, however Kentucky responded and continued to add to its lead throughout the game to seal a spot in the regional final.
Northwestern concludes the sason with a 30-17 record on the year.
In their first elimination game of the day, the Wildcats came out on top with a 7-1 victory over Miami Ohio. The RedHawks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the 'Cats responded with a pair of crucial two-out extra-base hits courtesy of Mac Dunlap and Nikki Cuchran.
Dunlap got the Wildcats on the board in the top of the second inning after a marathon 11 pitch at-bat ended with a bases-clearing three-RBI double to right-center. It marked Dunlap's sixth hit over the last seven games.
Two outs. 11 pitch at-bat.@macdunlap_ delivered when we needed it most ??#GoCats | #FightForVictory pic.twitter.com/JAbET1Sf2F
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 22, 2021
With a 3-1 advantage in the top of the fifth inning, Cuchran was the next Wildcat to come through with the bases loaded and two outs. The junior first baseman drove a grand slam over the center field fence for her first home run of the season to extend the Wildcats' lead to 7-1. Cuchran, along with Maeve Nelson each scored two runs in the win over the RedHawks.
Postseason vibes ??@NCuchran was feeling ?????????? after this one.#GoCats | #FightForVictory pic.twitter.com/ZHM4u6VxQt
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 22, 2021
After allowing a first-inning home run, Danielle Williams was masterful in the circle, striking out nine and allowing just five hits to pick up the victory.
With the win, Northwestern has now won a game in each of its last four NCAA Tournament appearances.
The 'Cats tallied five hits in their second game vs. Kentucky, led by Skyler Shellmyer recording her team-leading 15th multi-hit game of the season. NU got on the board first in the second inning via a sacrifice fly from Dunlap to score Emma Bartz, however Kentucky responded and continued to add to its lead throughout the game to seal a spot in the regional final.
Northwestern concludes the sason with a 30-17 record on the year.
Players Mentioned
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P/U
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